Chief Justice William Rhenquist died of thyroid cancer. That now means two openings on the Supreme Court. I've seen speculation that current Associate Justice nominee John Roberts could have his nomination pulled and transferred to a nomination for Chief Justice. That would then keep Sandra Day O'Connor on temporarily as an Associate Justice.
That would not be a wise move on President Bush's part considering the fact that Roberts would be new to the Court and then possibly be the Chief Justice? I doubt that would go over well. I'd think it'd be more likely that Antonin Scalia could be named Chief Justice than have Roberts join the court and serve as Chief Justice. Though I'd hope for John Paul Stevens to be Chief Justice if you talk about longevity on the Court. But Stevens is in his mid-80s.
Argh.
