SCOTUS - Justice Stevens retiring - effect McDonald vs. Chicago?

[usmarine0352_2005]

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Just reported on CNN that Justice Stevens maybe stepping down from SCOTUS. He has not chosen new clerks for the upcoming session, which is a hint that he may retire.



1.) Who could Obama choose to replace him?



2.) How much worse could it be since Stevens was dissenting in Heller anyway?



3.)Will this effect the current case of McDonald vs. Chicago?




4.) Could it push a decision on McDonald vs. Chicago back if they can't replace Stevens in time?



(I know it takes awhile to replace a justice with the procedure and all.)
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[danprkr]

My vote is to re ask this when we have more info.

 

[Cosmoline]

Janet Napolitano's name has been suggested. But she's got her foot in her mouth currently. The worst case scenario is not an aggressive, table-pounding liberal but rather a "stealth" liberal who has the brains and persuasive talent to pull the center to the left.

 

[TimRB]

"2.) How much worse could it be since Stevens was dissenting in Heller anyway?"

This is the key, in my opinion. Justices who are thinking about retiring wait (if they can) for a president who is likely to appoint someone similar to the post. A Stevens/Obama combo almost guarantees another left-leaner.

Tim

 

[maxsnafu]

Since Stevens is to the left of Stalin anyway, it's hard to believe Obama
could come up with anyone worse.

 

[Cosmoline]

Politics aside, this could be the final demise of the bow tie.

 

[nulfisin]

Not relevant for at least three reasns. First, he almost certainly won't retire in the middle of a term unless there's a serious health issue. Second, he's going to vote the wrong way given the chance. And, third, you can be sure that BHO's choice for a successor, if it comes to that, will vote the same way that Stevens does. And that's not good.

I agree on the bow tie. By the way, Stevens happens to be a very nice and humble man. He just decides cases the wrong way.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Politics aside, this could be the final demise of the bow tie.

Post of the Week. I know it's only Tuesday, but I doubt anyone can make my sides hurt more than you just did.

 

[Patriotme]

What do you want to bet that the next Supreme Court nominee has a very "Compelling" story? That's the most important thing....right?

 

[Oro]

And, third, you can be sure that BHO's choice for a successor, if it comes to that, will vote the same way that Stevens does. And that's not good.

Well, there's actually no guarantee of that. The court is rife with appointments that go and do what they think and believe is best, not what their benefactor's party wanted. And that's what the SC is all about...

I could never manage to get riled up against Sotomayor as vehemently as some. Despite some foot-in-the mouth statements in the past, she has been trending towards a strict view of the constitution in recent years. I'm not convinced she won't mature into a conservative's friend... You have to wait until some decisions start coming down.

 

[nulfisin]

I hope Oro is correct, but have serious doubts. BHO is VERY liberal and rather shrewd. He's not going to take any chances with SC pick. Looking back, the "surprises" we've seen recently on the Court were picked by Republicans. The Dems do a good job of finding what they want. And that's not good for gun rights.

 

[Justin]

This thread is much more blatantly political than it is gun-related. Sorry guys.