Justice Stevens Says He'll Decide Soon on Retiring

[Elmore Furth]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Justice John Paul Stevens says he'll decide soon about retiring -- for his own peace of mind and to give President Barack Obama and the Senate plenty of time to replace him.

Stevens turns 90 this month and is the oldest justice. He tells The New York Times that he knows he must ''fish or cut bait.''

But Stevens, who was named to the court by Republican President Gerald R. Ford in 1975, says he still loves the job, and says he continues to write the first draft of his own opinions.

Stevens says if it ever gets to point where he stopped doing that, it would be a sign he wasn't up to the job anymore.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/04/03/us/politics/AP-US-Supreme-Court-Stevens.html?_r=1&ref=politics

[davidpdx]

1. The question then become when

I would think next year after the midterms are settled, would be a good time. He wouldn't want to retire in 2012 since it's an election year and Republicans will make a stink about any nominee.

[defendandprotect]

3. I'd like to see him do it before . . . we're way behind on the SC with fascists embedded!!

[Fearless]

2. I would think that if he didn't write all drafts of his judicial opinions...

That he would be unfit...

Silly me.


:banghead:

[marshall]

4. Early 2011 would be as ideal as is possible

The closer we get to the 2012 the more dicey it gets. Obama may be in a position to have to try and appease the middle in order to win re-election.

Then again who knows. If all goes our way then the ideal time would be AFTER the 2012 election, when Obama doesn't have to worry about getting re-elected and he can go balls out on an ideal replacement.

[Nancy Waterman]

5. Now would be ideal

The next Senate will only be more difficult, though I hate to see him go.