Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman ever appointed to the highest court in the land, has announced her retirement. O'Connor will step down as soon as her successor has been confirmed.
There was a great deal of speculation that at least one justice of the Supreme Court would resign at the end of the term which took place earlier this week. Many court analysts focused on Chief Justice William Rehnquist who is battling thyroid cancer. Instead, O'Connor became the first justice to announce her resignation.
The 75-year-old O'Connor has served on the Supreme Court since being appointed by Ronald Reagan in July 1981 to replace Justice Potter Stewart.
O'Connor has often represented the swing vote in an increasingly polarized Supreme Court. She is considered a moderate conservative. Her replacement is almost certain to be more ideologically conservative than she is which could signal a major ideological shift on the court and threaten such landmark decisions as Roe v. Wade which presently provides for a woman's right to have an abortion.
President Bush has been holding secret meetings with his advisors in recent weeks in preparation for the possibility that he will have to choose a new nominee to the Supreme Court.
Among the people Bush is rumored to be considering to fill the vacancy:
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
Judge Michael Lutig, now on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Judge Harvie Wilkinson, 4th Circuit, appellate court judge in Philadelphia
Judge Samuel Alito, New Jersey judge on 3rd Circuit
Judge Emilio Garza, Texan judge on the 5th circuit
O'Connor has a reputation for writing carefully thought out opinions and being very practical.
When asked at her confirmation hearings how she would like to be remembered, the witty O'Connor answered, 'Ah, the tombstone question. I hope it says, 'Here lies a good judge.''
President Bush must get his nominee confirmed by the Senate, setting up an ideological struggle with Senate Democrats who will almost certainly filibuster any nominee they deem to be too conservative. Earlier attempts by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to change the Senate filibuster rules were doused when moderates from both parties reached a compromise. Any nominee must now get the support of 60 Senators in order to be confirmed. Republicans presently hold 55 seats in the Senate.
