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May 01, 2009

Justice Souter Hasn't Announced His Retirement Yet ...

... but that's where the smart money is.

And the argument over the likeliest nominee ... Sonia Sotomayor ... has already been joined, even though she hasn't even been announced yet. The Republican criticism is (fill in the blank here) is Too Liberal!!!!, and if you think that's bad, just wait until we liberals get our mitts on her.

We're even more brutal!

The actual takeaway from this situation actually has little to do with the above (though the prospect of Barack Obama getting to nominate Supreme Court justices so early in his first term can be naught but to the good) is tied in to the sudden departure of Arlen Specter from the Republican party.

As 2 Political Junkies note (from CQ Politics):

Here's why having Specter no longer in the role of ranking Republican creates disarray in the GOP.

Ranking Republican isn't just a courtesy title. It's a management job.

That's the person who runs the staff of legal professionals who evaluate legislation and handle the behind-the-scenes work of vetting each judicial nominee. As you can imagine, going through the paperwork on a Supreme Court nomination -- and dealing with the politics of a Supreme Court nomination -- is a very big job.

Will the experienced staff that Specter assembled continue to work for the committee?

Good question. While it is great fun to watch Republicans hide in corners and cry, even I'm not such a vandal that I'd like to see the process break down because of it. I just want Republicans to take their lumps and know their place (the Biggest Losers) as they expected the Democrats to. Because more and better Democrats are coming, and Republicans have time to remember what it's like to be a loyal opposition.

We'll have to keep our eyes on this one.

In the meantime, I understand Judge Marian Milian is available. Just sayin'.

Posted by The Chinuk at May 1, 2009 09:01 AM