Article

2005-09-04 Home Front: Politix

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist died Saturday evening at his home in suburban Virginia, said Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg.

A statement from the spokeswoman said he was surrounded by his three children when he died in Arlington. "The Chief Justice battled thyroid cancer since being diagnosed last October and continued to perform his dues on the court until a precipitous decline in his health the last couple of days," she said.

Rehnquist was appointed to the Supreme Court as an associate justice in 1971 by President Nixon and took his seat on Jan. 7, 1972. He was elevated to chief justice by President Reagan in 1986. His death ends a remarkable 33-year Supreme Court career during which Rehnquist oversaw the court's conservative shift, presided over an impeachment trial and helped decide a presidential election.

End of an era. Love him or hate him, a truly remarkable jurist.

Robin adds more from WaPo:

And you thought things were partisan already!
The death [gives] President Bush his second court opening within four months and sets up what's expected to be an even more bruising Senate confirmation battle than that of John Roberts. It was not immediately clear what impact Rehnquist's death would have on confirmation hearings for Roberts, scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Arberg said plans regarding funeral arrangements would be forthcoming.

Bush was notified of Rehnquist's death shortly before 11 p.m. EDT. "President Bush and Mrs. Bush are saddened by the news," said White House counselor Dan Bartlett. "It's a tremendous loss for our nation." The president was expected to make a personal statement about Rehnquist on Sunday.

The chief justice passed up a chance to step down over the summer, which would have given the Senate a chance to confirm his successor while the court was out of session, and instead Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement to spend time with her ill husband. Bush chose Roberts, a former Rehnquist clerk and friend, to replace O'Connor.
much more at link

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-09-04 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11131 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 He was an excellent jurist and chief justice who fought valiantly for what is right about America.

God rest his soul.

Posted by Captain America 2005-09-04 00:14|| 2005-09-04 00:14|| Front Page Top

#2 And he stayed on the SCOTUS as long as he physically could to add what order he could to the confirmation process. We lost a good man.

Posted by Alaska Paul">Alaska Paul 2005-09-04 00:28|| 2005-09-04 00:28|| Front Page Top

#3 My respects to one who serverd his country to the best of his ability to the end of his life.

Expect the Dems to go in to full war mode and huge outbursts of pure lies and propaganda to appear in the Media as they try and defeat all nominations. We will see one of the biggests strains in our national history are they try to destroy and subvert our form of government. Expect to hear and see the Democratic party and the BDS corps tear our national fabric apart in the coming weeks.

Posted by Sock Puppet OÂ´ Doom 2005-09-04 02:38|| 2005-09-04 02:38|| Front Page Top

#4 Chief Justice Scalia. Flanked by Justice Roberts and Justice Brown.

That'll fix them.

Posted by Oldspook 2005-09-04 07:05|| 2005-09-04 07:05|| Front Page Top

#5 Just when all the democrat silliness is about to erupt with Roberts.

I'm turning off my TV until Christmas....

Posted by mmurray821 2005-09-04 10:24|| 2005-09-04 10:24|| Front Page Top

#6 Fox is reporting this morning that the Democrats are demanding that the President delay the confirmation hearing of John Roberts, ask Sandra O'Connor to stay another year, and appoint her as Chief Justice "for the Unity of the Country". I was watching CBS Sunday Morning this morning because it is the only program they do that is generaly political free but it quickly turned into a BAsh Bush Fest so I turned it off. I won't watch it again, ever.

Posted by Hupolutle Gleth3638 2005-09-04 11:06|| 2005-09-04 11:06|| Front Page Top

#7 The previous post was me. Don't know what happened.

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2005-09-04 11:08|| 2005-09-04 11:08|| Front Page Top

#8 Democrats demand??? STFU! You lost two elections to teh evil Chimpy Bushitler. That makes your party even more insignificant

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2005-09-04 13:29|| 2005-09-04 13:29|| Front Page Top

#9 This is a great loss for the nation. RIP Chief Justice Rehnquist.

Posted by Poison Reverse 2005-09-04 16:08|| 2005-09-04 16:08|| Front Page Top

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