Obama and Souter: A Supreme Court Opening

[demwing]

Source: USA Today

Breaking news overnight that Supreme Court justice David Souter is retiring, So Obama will probably get his first chance to reshape the nation's highest court, though there are signs this wouldn't be as intense a nomination fight as in years past.

For one thing, Souter - despite being appointed by the first President Bush - is part of the court's liberal wing, so the court's ideological balance wouldn't change. For another, thanks to Arlen Specter, the Republicans probably couldn't filibuster a nominee in any case.

Look for pressure on Obama to nominate a female or Hispanic judge. Or perhaps someone who is both.

Note that Souter hasn't made it official yet. When he does, we'll likely hear from Obama, perhaps today.


Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/05/66238011/1

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Not quite an opportunity to reshape, but more the chance to cement the liberal/progressive wing of the highest court in the land. Also an opportunity for Obama to get creative and show a true progressive stripe. How about an openly gay justice?

[NewJeffCT]

1. I think Sonia Sotomayor has a good shot

Her name has been bandied about since 2004 as a possibility (2004 if Kerry had won)

[Demeter]

2. This Is Obama's Chance to Prove Himself to His Wavering Base

He will have to choose someone UNIMPEACHABLE and LIBERAL.

He'd better be damned sure that the candidate has no taint of the Federalist Society.

AND he'd better skip the bipartisanship this time, since it's proved to be fruitless.

[elocs]

3. How about taking a novel idea and have Obama appoint a person

who reflects his judicial philosophy? But then that's probably not progressive enough.

How about an openly gay Hispanic female who is an atheist and a vegetarian and who is also disabled? I am sure there are DUers who could expand that list of progressive preferences for the perfect Supreme Court nominee.

[MessiahRp]

4. You see the Supreme Court doesn't work that way...

If we don't counterbalance all of the right wingers on the court with a left winger, there will be too much agreement and the country's laws will continue to move towards the right. This is the one time in particular where there is no excuse for a Centrist. Because of the court's makeup we need to move to counterbalance in both this case and Ginsburg's case. And then if someone like Scalia goes, we can balance the court with a centrist. But until then we have some catching up to do or more of the Ledbetter case decisions or reversals of Brown v. Board of Educations will get through.

Rp

[demwing]

5. Truly, this is a free opportunity to move further left

We have the votes, there is no call from the right to balance the court, and Obama has the political capital to get it done. This is not the time to play "bipartisan." This is the time to stack the deck in our favor.

[demwing]

6. Ok, why not?

I know you snark, but really, at this moment, why not?

[No Elephants]

8. Yawn. Sounds like so many old Republican jokes.

[Q3JR4]

7. Hmmmmm.....

Q3JR4.
Ponders the possibilities of a female, openly gay, Hispanic judge.

[24601]

9. Justices is like a box of chocolates

you never knows what you is gonna get