Speaking for myself only:

I personally think those involved in recent majority decisions have lost their ever-lovin' minds.

(I probably score more libertarian than liberal on many issues. I was a conservative/Republican at one point in my life, then got tired of the enormous influence of the Moral Majority butting its nose into my personal business.)

But I don't think any of those issues will be relevant. I think the debate will focus almost exclusively on abortion. And regardless of my position on that issue, it's a sad day for American Jurisprudence when one's stance on abortion is the critical and deciding factor on one's worthiness to sit on the nation's highest court.

And if that were going to be the real life case we wouldn't be having this discussion. (and by we I mean you and I).

Were there calls for Clinton to appoint a conservative judge when he picked Ginsberg to replace the conservative leaning Byron White? I don't think so. Should he have to maintain the integrity and balance of the court as it existed? Ginsberg and Byron White have very little in common with the exception of pro-civil rights positions.

I would also argue that Breyer, the other Clinton appointee, who replaced a very libertarian Harry Blackmun, did not necessarily maintain the status quo that was there when he replaced him. I can almost promise that Blackmun would not have ruled in the same way as Breyer on the private property issue.

Presidents are elected. One thing Presidents do is to appoint judges. There is no requirement nor a moral obligation nor precedent that says he should appoint someone with a similar political leaning. Clinton did not, nor should he have been expected to.

In the ideal world, all our justices would be objective - but everything is driven by politics and competing ideology who use the Constitution only in as much as it advances their casue. I see this the same for democrate, conservatives, and any other party you name.

Bush could nominate Ted Kennedy himself, and Ted Kennedy, Shumer, and all the dems would respond automatically and without pause.............."Right wing nut, extreme and dangerous to our Constitution"

;)

Only after we offered them therapy and understanding.;)

Well now I know we are in good hands..........Roseannes Boss will be picking the nominee :D

Lovely. Another actor.

In fairness, he is also a lawyer and served on the Watergate Commission, as a special counsel to governors, and on other judicial selection committees.

Oh the angst. Republican....L&O actor....Republican.....L&O actor. Do I cheer or boo hiss?