AnAmericanCitizen
2009-03-15 02:08:55 UTC
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20007.html
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has hinted at a possible vacancy "soon" at the US Supreme
Court, without indicating who would be leaving.
Speaking Friday at New England Law Boston's annual "Law Day," Ginsburg told students
that the nine justices only take pictures together when a new member joins the high
court.
"We haven't had any photos for some time, but surely we will soon," she said.
"The dynamic is a little different when someone leaves."
Ginsburg, who turns 76 on Sunday, declined to elaborate on her comments and did not
take questions from reporters at the event.
She underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in early February but has returned to the
bench.
Despite speculation that she might leave the court, Ginsburg has on several occasions
expressed her intention to remain on the court for several more years.
Only the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, she is one of five justices who
are over 70 years old. Justice John Paul Stevens, the most liberal of the justices,
is the oldest at 88. He turns 89 next month.
Stevens, Ginsburg or fellow liberal justice David Souter, 69, have been expected
possibly to retire soon, and observers are gearing up for appointments of politically
progressive judges to the bench to replace the older liberals sitting on it today.
Although Stevens has reportedly hired law clerks for the next term that begins in
October, Souter has not.
The nine justices are appointed for life.
Currently four conservatives, four liberals, with the moderate Anthony Kennedy
holding the middle ground, compose a balance President Barack Obama, a Democrat, is
expected to sustain.
Nominated in 1993 by president Bill Clinton, Ginsburg is a pillar of the progressive
wing of the court.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has hinted at a possible vacancy "soon" at the US Supreme
Court, without indicating who would be leaving.
Speaking Friday at New England Law Boston's annual "Law Day," Ginsburg told students
that the nine justices only take pictures together when a new member joins the high
court.
"We haven't had any photos for some time, but surely we will soon," she said.
"The dynamic is a little different when someone leaves."
Ginsburg, who turns 76 on Sunday, declined to elaborate on her comments and did not
take questions from reporters at the event.
She underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in early February but has returned to the
bench.
Despite speculation that she might leave the court, Ginsburg has on several occasions
expressed her intention to remain on the court for several more years.
Only the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, she is one of five justices who
are over 70 years old. Justice John Paul Stevens, the most liberal of the justices,
is the oldest at 88. He turns 89 next month.
Stevens, Ginsburg or fellow liberal justice David Souter, 69, have been expected
possibly to retire soon, and observers are gearing up for appointments of politically
progressive judges to the bench to replace the older liberals sitting on it today.
Although Stevens has reportedly hired law clerks for the next term that begins in
October, Souter has not.
The nine justices are appointed for life.
Currently four conservatives, four liberals, with the moderate Anthony Kennedy
holding the middle ground, compose a balance President Barack Obama, a Democrat, is
expected to sustain.
Nominated in 1993 by president Bill Clinton, Ginsburg is a pillar of the progressive
wing of the court.