Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens Confirms Retirement, Obama's Nominee?
Supreme Court Justices Second Retirement No Surprise
Appointed by Gerald Ford in 1975 John Paul Stevens can be considered an ancient liberal since he is the second-oldest to retire. He served during seven presidencies and the retirement news comes just two weeks before his 90th birthday. The oldest retiree was Justice Holmes who retired just before his 91st birthday.
In 2006 Justice John Paul Stevens grounded a four-justice center-left bloc. As shared by Washington Post [1] a parody released following Sandra Day O'Connor's departure switched "Hang on Sloopy" to "Hang on Stevens", including "Just wait until Bush leaves before you resign." And he did just that, halfway into Obama's term.
President Obama has an opportunity to either shape up the high court or crack it into two. Remember that John Paul Stevens is a hard act to follow of all the Supreme Court Justices. Stevens pulled for affirmative action and played a hand in changing Guantanamo detainee treatment amongst other noted accomplishments within the 34 years he served. Stevens was born during 1920 when most great grandparents were building lives. It was time for Stevens to retire.
Stevens sent a letter of retirement confirmation to Barack Obama. In the letter, according to News & Observer [2], the Associate Justice lines out a path of his successor by giving them an advanced notice. But who would be the liberal's successor?
Republicans do not want another liberal. But with Obama making the ultimate nominee choice, just as he has chosen others in the past, it's a preplanned coin toss. He may push for someone that agrees with his laws, his way of running things, it's obvious.
Sonia Sotomayor, first Hispanic justice, was an Obama favorite to replace retired David Souter. Obama's pick faced a conservative wave of controversial obstacles regarding her remarks comparing a wise Latina woman to a white male. Bloomberg [3] supplied that even White House press secretary Gibbs felt the remark was in poor taste. However, Sotomayor passed through as many others in the past.
The past numbers of Supreme Court Justices are not staggering. Gerald Ford only had one Court Justice seat to fill in his term. John Paul Stevens took that seat. Reagan had three Court Justice seats to fill, George Bush Sr. had two, Clinton had two, Bush Jr. had two, and this will make Barack Obama's second Justice retirement to fill during his term.
Would Stevens be replaced with U.S. solicitor general Elena Kagan, Judge Merrick Garland of D.C., or Judge Diane Wood? One scary possible nominee choice is floating about, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
This moment in history can make a difference in the path of future Obama votes. According to Fox News [4] Gibbs gives the green light, they are ready. A last question comes to mind. How long have they been ready? Stevens will be celebrating his 90th birthday as many know. The White House did not expect Stevens to remain in his seat well passed his 90's.
The latest retirement is just a measure of changes to come. Rep. Bart Stupak announces his retirement after a long run in the polical arena. Michigan's Stupak recently hit a snag in his own supporters following his recent approval of the health care bill. Some suggest he turned coat on his followers which did not set well. It is not known whether the pressure led him towards today's news of his retirement.
As for a successor to John Paul Stevens, Obama has five months to push a nominee through.
________________
Source(s):
[1] Charles Lane, "Stevens's Center-Left Influence Has Grown", Washington Post
[2] John Paul Stevens' Letter to the President, AP/News & Observer
[3] Edwin Chen, Hans Nichols, "Gibbs says Sotomayor Word Choice in Speech Was Poor", Bloomberg
[4] Judson Berger, Shannon Bream, Lee Ross, "White House 'Ready' For Next High Court Nominee", Fox News
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI've heard Hillary Clinton may be in the running.
Well we know it will be liberal. But that's fair since he or she will be replacing one.
I mentioned this in an earlier essay: Obama has an obligation to appoint a candidate who is not too far out of the mainstream, while the Senate has an obligation to fill the vacancy with all deliberate speed. I think it was commendable for Stevens not to give a horrible president like Bush a 3rd selection.
Great reporting!
Good reporting.
Oh no, say it isn't so! Not Napolitano!!! Cheers on the report, nay on the possibility!
I mean,,,it should be interesting...I'll learn to type someday!
it should be interest, as everything is.