Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

Justice Souter has announced his retirement at the end of this term. This is not unexpected. The three most liberal justices are also the oldest, so predictions have been floating around that they would retire.

Here's an article listing the 'likely' replacements:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/30/souter-replacements-obama_n_194288.html

With a 60 vote majority in the Senate, barring tax and/or maid problems , confirmation should be easier than most of these in recent history. It should only be another hour or two before the right-whiners start ranting about Court packing.

[Kuros]

No more arseholes from the 9th Circuit, plz.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[bucheon bum]

Its the most liberal appeals court in the country (covers the West Coast). The only justice to come from that court is Kennedy, who is one of the more moderate justices. Not really understanding Kuros here.

[Kuros]

[ManintheMiddle]

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is the most activist (re: agenda-driven) court in the land. San Francisco, anyone?

Souter turned out to be a huge disappointment to both Bushes although appointees have a tendency to moderate if not alter their views after getting on the high bench.

Ginsberg, Kennedy, and Souter were all holding out for a liberal President, obviously, so it's interesting that Ginsberg doesn't want to retire quite yet herself despite cancer.

God help us if any others are forced into retirment over the next three and a half years.

[Ya-ta Boy]

For people interested in the ages of the justices:

Chief Justice John Roberts--54

Associate Justices:
John Paul Stevens--89
Ruth Bader Ginsburg--76
Antonin Scalia--73
Anthony Kennedy--72
Stephen Breyer--70
David Souter--69
Clarence Thomas--60
Samuel Alito--59

The next two justices likely to retire because of age/health would be Stevens and Ginsburg, both liberals. Even if Obama gets to appoint 3 justices, he won't be able to have an effect on the ideological balance of the court unless one of his appointees is a dominating personality.