no supreme court retirements during bush's 4 years -- daschle to thank?

[unblock]

isn't it rather odd that there have been zero supreme court vacancies during bush's 4 year occupancy of the oval office?

both rehnquist and o'conner had made noises about both wanting to retire and wanting to retire under a republican president. and yet neither did, nor did anyone else.

i think daschle must have gathered 41 votes early on and told king george than ANY supreme court nominee would be filibustered to death in response for the criminal way he got into office. bush in turn told his buddies on the supreme court to hold off 4 years.

i can't think of any other reasonable explanation. some have speculated that o'conner might be trying to salvage her image, but i certainly wouldn't credit rehnquist with that.

if so, then, frankly, daschle will have more than made up for his perceived failings, for which he is constantly slammed on this board.

even a single king george appointee to the supreme court would have made his disaster last decades.

[Hekate]

1. I wondered about that...

Good, if true. But just out of curiosity, what do you base thie speculation on?

Hekate

[Bunny]

2. I agree that O'Connor may want to try to repair her image.

Especially since it's known that she openly expressed dismay on election night when Gore was declared the winner. Rhenquist doesn't give a shit what anyone thinks, he's immortal in his own eyes. Kennedy, Scalia, and Thomas aren't old enough yet, I guess.

Does Daschle really have 41 solid votes, though?

[21winner]

3. Tom has

played his meager hand well. I can only pray that he can keep his seat. Those that hate him should remember that he was elected by his fellow senators. They seem to like his leadership.

[elfin]

4. More like Dumbya to thank

He has been so awful and intent on shredding the constitution that the ones wanting to retire just couldn't have him be the one to make the nominations.That plus trying to salvage some face saving after the debacle decision in 2000.

However, if he wins, they won't wait any longer and there will be at least 3, if not 4, vacancies sometime next term.