Ginsberg had pancreatic pancer surgery today ...

[Eugene V. Debs]

Yeah, and I am getting a $10 million dollar check in the mail today.

It could happen-- don't forget, once justices get on the Supreme Court they can shift their positions on issues and there's not a damn thing anyone can do about it. Two out of Eisenhower's three picks were supposed to be conservative but ended up being the most liberal justices in the court's history (Warren and Brennan)-- Ike later regretted making those appointments. Bush I's pick, Souter, has sided with the Liberals much more often the the conservatives. Sandra Day O'Connor was a Reagan pick, and although fairly conservative, she's sided with the Liberals a lot more than Reagan expected her to.

It's not unreasonable to think the reverse could happen with one of Obama's picks. Not likely, but it wouldn't be unprecedented if the President's pick for the court ended up having an ideological change of heart once on the bench.

[-JD-]

It could happen-- don't forget, once justices get on the Supreme Court they can shift their positions on issues and there's not a damn thing anyone can do about it. Two out of Eisenhower's three picks were supposed to be conservative but ended up being the most liberal justices in the court's history (Warren and Brennan)-- Ike later regretted making those appointments. Bush I's pick, Souter, has sided with the Liberals much more often the the conservatives. Sandra Day O'Connor was a Reagan pick, and although fairly conservative, she's sided with the Liberals a lot more than Reagan expected her to.

It's not unreasonable to think the reverse could happen with one of Obama's picks. Not likely, but it wouldn't be unprecedented if the President's pick for the court ended up having an ideological change of heart once on the bench.

Or despite our (understandable) paranoia and prejudice. He might pick someone who believes in all of the B.O.R., while picking someone to uphold the rest of the nine against the recent erosion by all three branches of Govt. Then again 2A might be a litmus test issue.

[adymond]

Or despite our (understandable) paranoia and prejudice. He might pick someone who believes in all of the B.O.R., while picking someone to uphold the rest of the nine against the recent erosion by all three branches of Govt. Then again 2A might be a litmus test issue.

Might be? I mean he is screening his employees for FAMILY members who even own firearms. This Pelosi stain doesn't give a flying rat fuck about the Bor or the Constitution beyone being annoyed that it is an impediment to his absolute power. For now.

[FNG19]

It's not unreasonable to think the reverse could happen with one of Obama's picks.

It's unlikely that that'll happen. He's going to pick an Anti-Roberts or an Anti-Scalia. He (and the Party) can't afford to have the court shift further right, or they'll lose the abortion and gun issues, as well as AffAct and Gitmo. They need to maintain the current balance or shift it further left to accomplish their goals.

[Eugene V. Debs]

It's unlikely that that'll happen. He's going to pick an Anti-Roberts or an Anti-Scalia. He (and the Party) can't afford to have the court shift further right, or they'll lose the abortion and gun issues, as well as AffAct and Gitmo. They need to maintain the current balance or shift it further left to accomplish their goals.

Well, I did specifically say I didn't think it was likely, just not inconceivable.

[stevieb92]

I seriously don't think any pigs will be flyin' on this deal. The Omessiah is going to pick someone who will be worse than Ginsberg. IMHO.

He can't risk the possibility of one of the Justices he appoints to be pro-gun. That would really piss off Pelosi and Reid.