Justice Souter Retiring | TigerFan.com

TigerBait3 · May 1, 2009

Things probably wont change that much but it will be interesting to see who Obama picks.

Justice David Souter is planning to retire after nearly two decades on the Supreme Court, giving President Barack Obama his first chance to fill a vacancy on the high court.

The White House has been told that Souter will retire in June, when the court finishes its work for the summer, a source familiar with his plans said Thursday night. He almost certainly would remain on the bench until a successor is confirmed.

The source spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for Souter.

Souter had no comment Thursday night, a Supreme Court spokeswoman said.

Souter's retirement is unlikely to alter the ideological balance on the closely divided court because Obama is certain to replace the liberal-leaning justice with someone with similar views.

But the vacancy could lead to another woman on the bench to join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, currently the court's only woman.

At 69, Souter is much younger than either Ginsburg, 76, or Justice John Paul Stevens, 89, the other two liberal justices whose names have been mentioned as possible retirees. Yet those justices have given no indication they intend to retire soon and Ginsburg said she plans to serve into her 80s despite her recent surgery for pancreatic cancer.
Souter, a regular jogger, is thought to be in excellent health.

Interest groups immediately began gearing up for what could be a grueling battle over a high court vacancy.

"We're looking for President Obama to choose an eminently qualified candidate who is committed to the core constitutional values, who is committed to justice for all and not just a few," said Nan Aron, president of the liberal Alliance for Justice.

Some of the names that have been circulating include recently confirmed Solicitor General Elena Kagan; U.S. Appeals Court Judges Sonya Sotomayor, Kim McLane Wardlaw, Sandra Lea Lynch and Diane Pamela Wood; and Leah Ward Sears, chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Men who have been mentioned as potential nominees include Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Harvard Law professor Cass Sunstein and U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo of Chicago.
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Yahoo

red55 · May 1, 2009

All the morning news shows said that he's going to pick a moderate woman for this one. Since O'Connor retired, Ginzberg is the only woman and she's 76. But he'll get another appointment very soon. John Paul Stephens is 89, for heaven's sake. Clarence Thomas is up around 300 pounds and is the only Republican that might be replaced anytime soon.

George Bush put relatively young judges in place, so they will be there for a long time. It will be interesting to see if Obama follows suit and appoints younger judges.

SabanFan · May 1, 2009

red55 said: ↑

All the morning news shows said that he's going to pick a moderate woman for this one.
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I hope you're right. I'd hate to see him try to appease the far left here.

LSUsupaFan · May 1, 2009

SabanFan said: ↑

I hope you're right. I'd hate to see him try to appease the far left here.
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Remember that Red thinks that he and the President are moderate.

red55 · May 1, 2009

LSUsupaFan said: ↑

Remember that Red thinks that he and the President are moderate.
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First, you have to be able to perceive a moderate in a world that is NOT black and white.

Then compare me to Rex and compare Obama to Kennedy and it's not hard to find the moderate.

StaceyO · May 1, 2009

Whomever Obama chooses, the Supreme Court will be where much of his legacy will be built. I truly hope he goes moderate.

shane0911 · May 1, 2009

God help us all

LSUMASTERMIND · May 1, 2009

Nothing like the old fear card. lol

TheDude · May 1, 2009

LSUsupaFan said: ↑

Remember that Red thinks that he and the President are moderate.
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+1

OkieTigerTK · May 1, 2009

this ones a wash. (imo)

the big change would be if someone like thomas or scalia were retiring. and thats not gonna happen!