Speculation: Justice Stevens To Retire Next Year

[UNHWildCats]

WASHINGTON - Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has hired fewer law clerks than usual, generating speculation that the leader of the court's liberals will retire next year.

If Stevens does step down, he would give President Barack Obama his second high court opening in two years. Obama chose Justice Sonia Sotomayor for the court when Justice David Souter announced his retirement in May.

Souter's failure to hire clerks was the first signal that he was contemplating leaving the court.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here

Stevens, 89, joined the court in 1975 and is the second-oldest justice in the court's history, after Oliver Wendell Holmes. He is the seventh-longest-serving justice, with more than 33 years and eight months on the court.

In response to a question from The Associated Press, Stevens confirmed through a court spokeswoman Tuesday that he has hired only one clerk for the term that begins in October 2010. He is among several justices who typically have hired all four clerks for the following year by now. Information about this advance hiring is not released by the court but is regularly published by some legal blogs.

Stevens did not say whether he plans to hire his full allotment of clerks or whether he will leave the court at the conclusion of the term that begins next month. Retired justices are allowed to hire one clerk.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32656899/ns ... ite_house/

[AZGrizFan]

So, what racist gash minority is gonna get THIS seat?

[Ivytalk]

Fireworks won't really start until a conservative justice has to be replaced. This one will just be a trade of an old liberal for a younger liberal.

[danefan]

Fireworks won't really start until a conservative justice has to be replaced. This one will just be a trade of an old liberal for a younger liberal.

Then I get to root for Judge Richard Wesley (2nd Circuit) to become the first UAlbany football player on the Supreme Court. He's a young centrist conservative.

[UNHWildCats]

who do you guys see as the first conservative justice to retire?

[D1B]

So, what racist gash minority is gonna get THIS seat?

Your mother.

[danefan]

who do you guys see as the first conservative justice to retire?

Total guess but I think Kennedy is the next to retire. He's not necesarily a conservative but appointing a liberal to replace him would certainly shake up the Court.

Other than him, Alito, Roberts, Scalia and Thomas will have to be dragged from their chambers dead before they retired while a Dem is sitting in office and controls the Senate.

[Ivytalk]

who do you guys see as the first conservative justice to retire?

Total guess but I think Kennedy is the next to retire. He's not necesarily a conservative but appointing a liberal to replace him would certainly shake up the Court.

Other than him, Alito, Roberts, Scalia and Thomas will have to be dragged from their chambers dead before they retired while a Dem is sitting in office and controls the Senate.

Actually, I think it will be Ruth Buzzi Ginsburg...for health reasons. Kennedy loves the limelight too much as "Mr. 5-4."

[danefan]

Total guess but I think Kennedy is the next to retire. He's not necesarily a conservative but appointing a liberal to replace him would certainly shake up the Court.

Other than him, Alito, Roberts, Scalia and Thomas will have to be dragged from their chambers dead before they retired while a Dem is sitting in office and controls the Senate.

Actually, I think it will be Ruth Buzzi Ginsburg...for health reasons. Kennedy loves the limelight too much as "Mr. 5-4."

Oh I agree with you on Ginsburg. I was just thinking about those who would cause a shift in the court.

[Wedgebuster]

So, what racist gash minority is gonna get THIS seat?

Your mother.

Owwieeee!

[houndawg]

So, what racist gash minority is gonna get THIS seat?

Your mother.

His mom isn't a minority.


At least that's what she told me.

[D1B]

Your mother.

His mom isn't a minority.


At least that's what she told me.

She's half black and half Polish, according to her food stamp application.

[AZGrizFan]

So, what racist gash minority is gonna get THIS seat?

Your mother.

My mother's been dead for 17 years, douche.

[Pwns]

So, what racist gash minority is gonna get THIS seat?

I think the court has a shortage of Asian-American bisexuals.

[dbackjon]

So, what racist gash minority is gonna get THIS seat?

I think the court has a shortage of Asian-American bisexuals.

You want Tila Tequila on the Supreme Court?

[AZGrizFan]

I think the court has a shortage of Asian-American bisexuals.

You want Tila Tequila on the Supreme Court?

Maybe that's why Merriman beat the hell out of her.