Post #15 - Obama hopes to replace Souter by October

Today Obama stated that he would like to replace Souter by the start of the Supreme Court's next term in October, and he would like to replace him with someone who shares the President's "respect for constitutional values." (Also, in reference to my previous post, the writer of this story in the Associated Press made a point of quoting Obama as saying "him or her" in regards to who he will fill the seat with. What gives?)

Souter is relatively young by Supreme Court standards, with Ruth Bader Ginsberg in her mid-70's and Justice Stevens reaching almost his 90th year. Ginsberg has stated that she will continue to serve on the bench into her 80's, despite a recent bout with pancreatic cancer.

Also, Arlen Specter, who recently jumped ship from the Republicans and joined the Dems, said a surprisingly enlightened thing when he announced that he would like to see more ethnic and gender diversity on the Supreme Court. I never thought I'd agree with the man on a topic of civil liberty, but he's right. I am forced to wonder if he is just pandering for votes though...

I am happy for Souter that he is leaving the Court. He has long been on record as someone who hates Washington D.C., stating that "I have the world's best job in the world's worst city". He will depart home to his "beloved" New Hampshire, and kick up his feet after many long years on the bench. Good for him. I am eager to see who Obama will replace him with.

Souter was one of the four dissenters in the Bush v. Gore decision in 2000, and has come to be known as a reliably liberal vote on the Supreme Court. I hope to see Obama replace him with an individual of similar ideological makeup, because a balanced Supreme Court is essential in this country, and the Supreme Court is one justice away from being staunchly conservative. Surely Obama and the Democrat dominated Senate will not confirm an individual who is far to the right, but if Souter was replaced by a conservative we would see a Court dominated by this ideology, and the Supreme Court should never be strictly conservative or liberal.