Supreme Court choices/options for Obama?

[NewJeffCT]

I can almost guarantee that if Obama wins, John Paul Stevens will step down, probably in 2009. If Stevens steps down in 2009, Ruth Bader Ginsberg maybe follows in 2010?

Who would be a good choice to replace Stevens and also be on the court for a good 20+ years?

John Edwards maybe?
Hillary Clinton?

I remember hearing speculation about former NFL great Alan Page when Kerry was running in 2004, but Page is 63 now.

This is where we can begin rolling back 8 years of Reagan and 12 years of Bush appointees.

[bunkerbuster1]

1. Anyone under 50 and reliably progressive is OK with me.

I'm serious about that "under 50" business.

[NewJeffCT]

3. I fit the bill then - I'm 41

though I have no legal background other than a few business law classes in college.

I'm progressive and strongly pro-choice.

[bunkerbuster1]

7. Well heck, under those circumstances--Kos and Atrios and Sam Seder

Wait, Sam actually was pre-law...

[NewJeffCT]

9. that would be funny...

The Right Wing would have a collective coronary if Kos was even on the short-list.

[blondeatlast]

8. Agreed. there's a lot of great legal minds that qualify--I'd rather

have thinkers than "names."

But the under 50 is a requirement, I'm afraid.

[MrCoffee]

2. Are we assuming that the current Congress will be confirming them?

If so, that's a drag.


I'd like to see Erwin Chemerinsky on the court. He spoke at my law school, and someone said something about him being a possiblity, and the idea has resonated with me ever since.

[NewJeffCT]

5. Even though I'm a pessimist

I would see us picking up at least 3-5 seats in the Senate.

So, that new Senate would be doing the confirming.

[CanonRay]

4. Let's win first, huh!

This cart is way, way out in front of the horse.

[NewJeffCT]

6. There will be "cabinet choice" threads at least a few times a week

between now & election day. Why not SCotUS as well?

[blondeatlast]

10. John Dean? He's a Constitutional wonk and a strong supporter of the separation of powers.

He seems pretty anxious to undo the corruption in the Administrative branch that's been done by the W.

OTOH, the Repugs are likely to be more of a threat to him than the Ds.

[NewJeffCT]

11. too old

I would think.

[angstlessk]

12. does he have a felony record or was it pardoned?? does it make a difference???

[NewJeffCT]

15. he'll be 70 in October

meaning he'd probably be too old for consideration.

[angstlessk]

16. yes, we Democrats need some younguns there to ensure we will be there regardless!

good point.

[NoGOPZone]

13. Hilary Clinton I could see

Has the background and it would annoy the freeps to no end.

Would she be interested, though?

This woman is a strong candidate. Several commentators have mentioned her.

http://www.law.stanford.edu/directory/profile/57/

[NewJeffCT]

14. Sullivan seems like a great choice

I'm sure she'd make some short lists.

[hokies4ever]

17. Not a good idea to put politicians on the Supreme Court

Fighting for the Constitution and fighting for the American people are two completely different things.

[NewJeffCT]

18. well

Earl Warren worked out pretty well - he went from Governor of California to Chief Justice.

[dysfunctional press]

19. how 'bout bubba?

bill clinton could make a fine addition to the court...although i'd prefer john edwards if he'd be interested in the gig- although i'd like to see him as ag inder obama.

[NewJeffCT]

20. I would have said "yes" in 2001 or 2002

but, Bill Clinton is a bit old (almost 62) and has already had some health issues.