Yesterday, Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her resignation. [Read story.]
This came as a surprise to many Americans, as I think we were expecting the ailing Chief Justice Rehnquist to be the next to step down from the Court.
O'Connor was a centrist, often casting the deciding vote in 5-4 decisions. While I did not agree with all of her decisions, in most cases she seemed to consistently defend the interests of women and minorities.
We now await the announcement of Bush's nominee to replace O'Connor. Will he nominate a woman? Will he appoint a moderate to avoid an ugly battle in the Senate, or will he take advantage of this opportunity to appoint an ultraconservative and then sleaze around the consequences?
I respect the fact that Justice O'Connor feels she needs a break so she can spend more time with her ailing husband and other family members. But I wish she would have postponed her retirement for just another 3-1/2 years. There is so much at stake.
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