WASHINGTON – Justice David Souter has told the White House that he will retire from the Supreme Court at the end of the court’s term in June, a source said Thursday night.
The source spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for Souter.
Speculation that the 69-year-old justice will be stepping down has been fueled by his failure to appoint law clerks from the fall term.
National Public Radio reported that Souter will remain on the bench until a successor is confirmed.
At 69 years old, Souter is the fourth-youngest Supreme Court Justice. Questions:
- Has the Obama administration learned from the appointees who’ve had to withdraw for their various – mostly tax-related – problems?
- Will President Obama attempt to “bridge the partisan divide” by nominating someone Republicans can at least live with?
- If Obama picks a woman (as the story suggests he will), will he pick another woman when Ruth Bader Ginsburg steps down (assuming that, at age 76, she’s ready)? Or will the quota have been filled already?
- Why are Republican nominees to SCOTUS so frequently disappointing to Republicans, while Democrat nominees are exactly what they hope for?
Answers, in reverse order: God gives us only the burdens we can handle; yes; I wouldn’t, and neither will he; I sure hope not.
UPDATE – Well that’s interesting. William Jacobson at Legal Insurrection, on how Arlen Specter’s recent defection might mean a tougher road for this SCOTUS nomination.