Recovery

From FoxNews: Chief Justice Rehnquist Dies at 80.

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who served on the Supreme Court for 33 years, steered the court back toward federalism and restored the sovereignty of states in the face of federal power.

Rehnquist, who has led the court since being elevated to chief justice by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, died late Saturday night after battling thyroid cancer for the better part of the past year.

His death comes as senators in Washington prepare for the battle over the confirmation of President Bush's nominee for the seat vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor.

UPDATE -- Sept. 6: From FoxNews: Roberts Bump-Up Raises Stakes.

President Bush's decision to nominate John Roberts (search) as the nation's 17th Supreme Court chief justice raises the stakes of the upcoming Senate confirmation hearings, with lawmakers now asked to pass judgment on a man who could lead the nation's highest court for decades.

Republicans say nothing has changed, that Roberts is the same well-qualified judge who seemed to be headed for confirmation as an associate justice before Chief Justice William Rehnquist (search) died Saturday and Bush tapped Roberts, 50, for the top spot. ...

Democrats, however, said bumping Roberts up to chief justice instead of having him replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (search) means tougher scrutiny of Rehnquist's former Supreme Court clerk.

Posted by Forkum at September 4, 2005 11:09 PM