Speculation rises that Supreme Court Justice Stevens will retire

[Liberal_in_LA]

Speculation rises that Supreme Court Justice Stevens will retire

John Paul Stevens, who will turn 90 early next year, has hired only one clerk for the 2010 term. That could be a tipoff that he plans to retire before then, although he has not said he will.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor talks with Justice John Paul Stevens last month in the White House. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

By David G. Savage

September 2, 2009 | 11:00 a.m.
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Reporting from Washington - Justice John Paul Stevens, who will turn 90 early next year, has given a hint that this Supreme Court term will be his last, potentially clearing the way for a second appointee from President Obama next summer.

Stevens, like most of the justices, hires new law clerks a year in advance, and he confirmed that he has hired only one clerk for the fall of 2010, not the usual contingent of three or four. Retired justices have only one clerk.

Stevens has not said he will step down next year, and he could hire extra clerks in the months ahead. But his early hiring plans, which were first reported by the Associated Press, set off speculation that he has already decided to retire.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-stevens3-2009sep03,0,5471894.story

[blue_onyx]

1. If he does retire

I'm glad it's when Obama is in office. It would be an interesting approval process because next year is an election year.