May 01 2009
Souter to Retire from Supreme Court
David Souter, a U.S. Supreme Court associate justice since 1991, will retire from the nation’s highest court after its current term ends in June. The Supreme Court typically operates from October to June.
Souter, appointed by George H. W. Bush, proved not to be a staunch conservative like William Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas or John Roberts. Souter instead combined with Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Kennedy to form a moderate voting bloc that often decided close rulings.
The upcoming vacancy is sure to draw a lot of attention, particularly from social activists be they conservative or liberal. President Obama will appoint a replacement and the Senate must confirm his choice.
Unlike the recent past that typically featured a Senate majority of the opposing party, Obama’s nominee will face a Senate with a solid Democratic majority. The Senate will probably have 60 Democrats this summer, meaning a Republican filibuster could be squashed should the nomination process be bruising.
