Rehnquist Says He'll Stay on Supreme Court

[Duncan Grant]

WASHINGTON - Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, denying rumors of his retirement, said Thursday he will continue heading the court as long his health permits. "I'm not about to announce my retirement," he said.


"I want to put to rest the speculation and unfounded rumors of my imminent retirement," Rehnquist, 80, said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. "I am not about to announce my retirement. I will continue to perform my duties as chief justice as long as my health permits."

Rehnquist released the statement hours after being released from an Arlington, Va., hospital after being treated for two days with a fever.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050715/ap_on_go_su_co/rehnquist_health

? :wow:
I'm surprised to see him comment publicly like this... -9_S_F

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Tough old bird.

There is more to his meaning than he is letting on.

[Duncan Grant]

6. It does look like a "read between the lines" moment.

Wonder how the right wing extremists like Falwell, Robertson, Dobbs, etc. are taking it? I'm sure they're apoplectic. :evilgrin:

[dsewell]

8. Robertson is batting only .333

since two years ago he announced a campaign to pray for three Supreme Court justices to retire (or die, or be too ill to serve).

[Yupster]

9. We really need a better system

than these lifetime appointments.

The state of the nation shouldn't depend on the health of 80 year olds.

If his health allows it? His health hasn't allowed it for a couple of years now.

I think Justices should have terms, or a retirement age or something.

It seems wrong that 80 year olds with cancer should be making our most sensitive decisions about our society and government.

And I don't mean this as a knock against Rehnquist either -- rather against the whole system.

[existentialist]

19. "lifetime appointments"

I strongly disagree.

First the appointments are not technically lifetime, they are for "good behavior"--Justices can be removed, but it takes an impeachment process.

Second, those lifetime appointments are about the only element of stability in the government at the moment. I don't like Rehnquist at all, but the prospect of yet another Bush appointment has me praying for the old boy to last until 2009.

Given what the Republicans are doing, and the costs and consequences we need all the stability we can get--although I have to admit that I can't consider Scalia or Thomas as stabilizing influences.

[DaDeacon]

22. NO we don't ...

The idea was to have it all check and balance remember. The simple concept is that lifetime Appointees would allow the court to work without the worry of removal or political sway! The real issues is the two party system that plays the Field into two camps ALWAYS working against the middle! if the left/right paradigm is removed the selection and appoint of judges would be was better. No one is looking for "Fair", good moderates to rreview and understand the intent of the Constitution as SCJ should. They only want cheerleaders!!!!

[The Stranger]

36. On the contrary. Ironically,

although I disagree profoundly with Rehnquist's positions, I believe that 80 year olds with cancer may be better qualified than anyone in making our most sensitive decisions about our society and government.

[DemsUnite]

40. He's far from perfect

but BushCo would find someone worse.

[whalerider55]

2. hmm...

lesseee... novak comes out with a scoop that Renny will hang up his robe... the tip doesn't pan, but it ignites a frenzy of speculation that draws attention away from... hmmm. dsm? rove?

novak. i hope fitzgerald told him not to leave town any time soon...

whalerider

[brentspeak]

3. The Republicans are behaving like ghouls on this

They're hovering over Rehnquist like vultures waiting for a corpse. I thought they were "pro-life"?

[cascadiance]

4. Hmm... First the strong rumor that he'd resign comes out!

... and then a few days later after he doesn't officially announce it, he's taken to a hospital for problems with a fever!

I wonder, if that fever, and perhaps even his cancer, hasn't been engineered by those who want to control the forthcoming impeachment hearings (they are presided over in Congress by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court according to the constitution!)

A lot of very "coincidental" happenings this last week! Some big fires brewing I think! I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg!

Maybe he realizes this too and that makes him just that more defiant! Hopefully that will spill over to having him decide to let them hear Sibel Edmond's appeal soon, and to not keep proceedings secret or cut short like other court hearings have been to this point! That would be *good* revenge for him to take if he is being pressured.

[Stand and Fight]

15. A couple of points on your post.

First, the title that Rehnquist holds is "Supreme Justice of the United States," not "of the Supreme Court. On that note, the Supreme Justice of the United States only presides over the Senate in the event of an impeachment. In that capacity he doesn't really exercise any real control, but sits in judgment of the case for impeachment. He has authority, but the process itself is largely ruled by the Senate. The following information is pulled form the Washington Post website during idiotic shit the Republicans pulled nearly a decade ago:

What is the role of the chief justice?
The Constitution requires the chief justice of the United States to act as the presiding officer during presidential impeachments because of the obvious conflict presented by having the vice president, who stands to get the job if the president is convicted, serve in his role as president of the Senate.

Under the Senate impeachment rules, the presiding officer rules on "all question of evidence," including "relevancy, materiality and redundancy." But he can be reversed by a majority vote of the Senate. In addition, he can choose to "in the first instance, submit any such question to a vote of the Members of the Senate."

Particularly during the first, oral argument phase of the proceedings, Rehnquist's role is likely to be rather limited because he won't be called on to deal with questions about evidence or queries to witnesses. But if, for example, either side were to violate the part of the resolution that requires them to limit their arguments to evidence already in the record he could rule that out of order. (See text of the exchange between Rehnquist and Sen. Tom Harkin on Jan. 15.)
SOURCE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/iguide.htm

Secondly, fevers are a common trait when you are being treated for thyroid cancer with chemo therapy. Rehnquist has had plenty of bouts of illness before and since his treatment began. He's a very sick man. He has cancer. The therapy makes him prone to illness because his immune system is heavily affected.

Thirdly, and lastly, the Chief Justice is a crooked old bastard who used to use voter intimidation tactics on blacks in the 1960s in Arizona. He is not a man of principle or a man of true social justice. He is a man in the mold of a true Neo-Conservative, and likewise his alliances are with that branch of the Republican party.

[kurtyboy]

23. Today, in front of a Freeper, I said that Rehnquist was gonna

hang around to preside over one last impeachment. The Freeper blanched, and said "in your dreams." but my point was made.

Now then, while the way the Freep read it was encouraging, I'm a little scared that the Chief Justice wants to hang--he gave this goofball president he job, and he might just find a way for the dickhead to keep it in an impeachment....

[tk2kewl]

37. You betch!

Me thinks even Renquist is sick of the corruption and won't allow Bush to put in a corrupt chief before the inevitable impeachment hearings.

[sleipnir]

5. There goes Kos' scoop. Another dud.

n.t.

[zanne]

35. Not necessarily

My bullshit antennae are really up on this. Why does someone put out a press release because he's NOT going to do something? I don't trust it.

[brooklynite]

7. What this means...

is that Bush's opportunity to appear to offer a "balanced" nomination ( a "moderate" for O'Connor and a "conservative" for Rhenquist) has fallen out the window. With only one nomination to make, the pressure on him to pay off the Christian Right will be enormous.

[Bucky]

25. That's my take on it too. Of course expecting "balance" from Bush...

...may not be the shortest odds at the track. But at least with two justices going, there was that dynamic to hope for.

[0rganism]

10. Six years ago, I couldn't have imagined being glad to hear this

Wow. Talk about crashing through the bottom of the barrel with momentum to spare, this country went down the tubes Real Fast.

[existentialist]

20. I absolutely feel exactly the same way.

I can't stomach Rehnquist, but at least Rehnquist couldn't stomach Ashcroft, and God save us from another Scalia, or Thomas, (or Gonzales).

[Demeter]

11. It's Not A Surprise--With The Man's Colossal Ego

He'll die in office, probably in the office literally, in his gold-striped robes.

[catzies]

41. That's what I put my money on. He loves being Chief Justice soooo much

he'll do it 'til the Grim Reaper comes for him.

[wallwriter]

12. "As long as my health allows..." - 2, 3 weeks?

[existentialist]

21. a good point

Who knows?

[ronnykmarshall]

13. What?

Wow! Is he having buyer's remorse over W?

[housewolf]

14. About a month ago or so

I heard Ken Starr say that Justice Rehnquist had selected his law clerks for the next term already. Starr was moderating a panel between two 9th Circuit judges when he said that, it was broadcast on c-span.

Someone else said that they expected Rehnquist would wait until September and evaluate his health at that time.

[dbt]

30. On behalf of the people in Arkansas who were DELIBERATELY ruined

by that despicable excuse of a man during the Clinton Inquisition, just let me say

FUCK KENNETH STARR AND MAY HE BURN IN HELL FOREVER.

Thank you.

[hollowdweller]

16. Could HE be afraid of an extreme right wing takover of the court too?

[salin]

29. that is my thinking - rightwing renquist fears the reactionary right.

Renquist, does, still respect the institution of the Supreme Court.

He has, on several occaissions, tried to rebuke and turn back congressional (and ashcroft) efforts to "review and rate judges" based on their strict adherence to sentencing guidelines. I think he realizes that the agenda is to make the court a lap-dog to the executive branch. And he has spent too many years on the court, imo, to relish the thought of it becoming a puppet institution.

[Catherine Vincent]

17. What is it with these politicians and judges?

I saw on the video clip today that Rhenquist can hardly stand up and walk. And recently saw Sen. Byrd, he can barely walk also. Why do they hang onto their jobs like that?

[okieinpain]

18. the old goat is going to screw the repugs by hanging around too

long (and I don't mean he should die, not retiring is what I mean). :~)

[liberalla]

31. God, I hope so!

His will and sheer determination will get him through, hopefully. He needs to keep the Court independent, and make up for his mistake in 2000...

I agree with several posts here! His ego is massive. He wants to keep his power (and the power of the SC) intact and independent. He does not want the court to be controlled by the WH.

[okieinpain]

42. that is possible.

[burrowowl]

24. A fever when being given therapy

for cancer (said therapy lowers the immune system power to fight), especially at his age, might indicate that the old goat won't last very long.
He might be waiting for Bu$h to find someone as or more extreme right than either he or Scalia!

[ToeBot]

26. Nixon appointed this guy before I was born!

There is something just weird about that. That anyone should hold a position of such gravity for so long here in The United States. Still, I suppose its better that he hold out for a bit longer. If only to prevent a radical shift in the make up of the SCOTUS. I never imagined being worried that Rehnquist would be replaced by someone More conservative.

[0007]

27. Hooray!!

[lala_rawraw]

28. Yep, feels guilty over 2000 and is trying to make peace

With God. Good man!

[dbt]

32. Old Stripes rightly fears the Flames of Hell.

He got a small taste of his coming reward when he got what he thought was a fever. As his sands trickle out, he KNOWS that he must cling to his work. Deep in his black, mercenary soul, he knows that he'll die within weeks of giving up his life's calling.

Given the misery that he brought on this country when he helped install bu$hler, he sees--with the extreme clarity and focus that only imminent Death can bring--what awaits him in the Next World. And it scares him shitless.

Sweet dreams, Rehnny.

[mtnester]

33. Hey Novak, what happened to his retirement announcement that

was forthcoming last Friday right before lunch? Your big "scoop?" The one your "sources" leaked to you?

Methinks Novak is being punished now by fake leaks and inside tips for his part in getting the media twisted up in the Rovegate mess.

Hopefully, he cannot trust source information at ALL now, which makes any employer he may have less believing of his print product, and perhaps unwilling to publish his work (hope and fingers crossed)

Is there a bone of pity in me for him? Not a ONE.

[Boo Boo]

34. if old man Rehnquist wants to stick around through the rest of Bush's term

and deny him another appointment, that's more than fine with me. Rehnquist is one of the justices that stands in the way of Bush's claim to unchecked presidential war powers.

Doesn't mean I have to respect him for anything else.

[cascadiance]

38. As conservative as Rehnquist is, he's been against "corporate personhood"

in certain supreme court cases as Thom Hartmann points out in:

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0101-07.htm

Perhaps Rehnquist is seeing the "corporate crony takeover" coming if someone else is made chief justice by Bush in addition to the impeachment issues, and doesn't want to allow that to happen.

Much as I disagree with Rehnquist on many issues, he's at least spoken out against giving corporations the rights of people, which shows some degree of sanity and integrity. Someone like Scalia or whoever else Bush might name to the court might want to steer the court differently here, and we might move that much closer to complete Mussolini style fascism!

[Boo Boo]

39. Cripes! Now I respect the man for two things!

Quick, somebody give me Hell's zipcode; I need it for weather.com.