Nomination of Harriet Mier for the Supreme Court

[darling1]

from what i have read the answer is no. bush could have chosen a chief justice from the existing justices. that would have left 2 spots to fill.

it would have been a cold day in hell before thomas would be chief and right now its about personal/political agenda and legacy.

Originally posted by Little32
I have always feared the potential damage that could be done to women's rights and civil rights struggles with the appointment of judges that shift the political balance of the court. This is what worried me when G. W. got elected the first time.

I just think that anyone who will be appointed to the Supreme judiciary, should have some experience as a judge.

On a side note:

What I am curious about is Roberts. Is it always the case that when the chief justice retires whoever is nominated fills that spot?

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Little32
On a side note:

What I am curious about is Roberts. Is it always the case that when the chief justice retires whoever is nominated fills that spot?

No. Had Bush just put Roberts up to fill O'connor's seat, there would have had to be a separate hearing for any of the associate justices moving over to the Chief Justice's chair. Technically, the chief justice also has some federal judiciary (administrative) responsibility, so a separate hearing would have been needed, I think.

[RBL]

Originally posted by TonyB06
No. Had Bush just put Roberts up to fill O'connor's seat, there would have had to be a separate hearing for any of the associate justices moving over to the Chief Justice's chair. Technically, the chief justice also has some federal judiciary (administrative) responsibility, so a separate hearing would have been needed, I think.

You are correct

[Amaterasu]

Adding to that, Bush had originally nominated Roberts to O'Connor's seat. When Rehnquist died, Bush had to retract his nomination for Roberts and re-submit another one to nominate him for Rehnquist's Chief Justice position.

[AKA2D '91]

*Breaking News*

Miers has supposedly asked for her name to be removed from the list of contention.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
*Breaking News*

Miers has supposedly asked for her name to be removed from the list of contention.

She sure did: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051027/...iers_withdraws