SCOTUS Update

Yes, we know that Rhenquist is staying on. Some think he's clinging on to power, but hey, these are lifetime appointments and he can stay on until they carry him out in a pine box, it's his perrogative.

What is of more interest, is a bipartisan letter sent by four Senators, including the Ladies from Maine, moderate Republicans, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe. They are calling for Sandra Day O'Connor to reconsider her retirement from the high court and consider Rhenquists' job (when that opens up, I guess).

Their reasoning is that they want to avoid what very well could be a messy confirmation fight.

It's an interesting letter and does have a point. But, their hopes in having the first female Chief Justice may or may not happen, depending on Rhenquist.

It would be nice if O'Connor would rescind her decision to retire, but I'm not so sure that will happen. She has an ailing husband to attend to. I can understand not wanting a messy fight since the far right is rattling the sabers. I don't want to see that either. However, this doesn't HAVE to be the case if lawmakers and partisans would back off and let the President make his choice and allow the Senate to advise and consent. I'm not saying no hard questions should ever be asked; I'm just saying the naked agression we are seeing on both sides is not helpful to the body politics.

But it would be nice if O'Connor hung on for a little while longer.