XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN NOV 07, 2004 19:02:37 ET XXXXX

BUSH CONSIDERS CLARENCE THOMAS FOR CHIEF JUSTICE

**Exclusive**

President Bush has launched an internal review of the pros and cons of nominating Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as the chief justice if ailing William Rehnquist retires, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

A top White House source familiar with Bush's thinking explains the review of Thomas as chief justice is one of several options currently under serious consideration. But Thomas is Bush's personal favorite to take the position, the source claims.

"It would not only be historic, to nominate a minority as chief justice, symbolizing the president's strong belief in hope and optimism, but it would be a sound judicial move.... Justice Thomas simply has an extraordinary record."

One concern is the amount of political capital Bush would have to spend in congress to make the move.

A chief justice must be separately nominated by Bush and confirmed by the Senate, even if the person is already sitting on the court.

The need to replace Rehnquist could arise by year's end, Bush aides now believe.

Officially, Bush advisers call any Supreme Court vacancy talk premature.

Developing...

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20041106/capt.dccd10411060552.senate_judges_dccd104.jpg

Link to article: http://www.drudgereport.com/sc.htm

No surprise there.  This is the beginning of the end, my friends.
::)

naw, the beginning of the end comes when your signature gal becomes president. BTW, my sig pic of her is not air-brushed :D

It will be much easier for him to make sure Antonin is sitting beside him, that way scalia won't have
to reach so far to work the controls.

Not that it's the only consideration, but isn't he in the middle seniority-wise?  He's certainly outranked by Kennedy, O'Connor, Stevens and Scalia, at least.  Kennedy and O'Connor may be considered too old, but Scalia's not that old, is he?

Thomas is  56 and the youngest on the court by 9 years. He's only the third most recent addition to the court... only ruth bader ginsburg and stephen breyer were appointed later. He's also Bush Sr.'s last appointment to the court

Not that it's the only consideration, but isn't he in the middle seniority-wise?  He's certainly outranked by Kennedy, O'Connor, Stevens and Scalia, at least.  Kennedy and O'Connor may be considered too old, but Scalia's not that old, is he?

Chief Justice appointment isn't necessarily based on tenure.  Rehnquist wasn't the longest serving justice by a long shot when he took over from Burger in 1987.

I don't think it would happen.  He is so obviously underqualified for even the position he is in,
note his lack lack of authorship for any of the positions, majority or minority.  I think that Scalia
is the logical choice for bushie.