Is anyone concerned with the potential political battle surrounding the vacancies in the Supreme Court?
We should be.
Though low on the media's radar because of Hurricane Katrina coverage, the death of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist due to thyroid cancer Saturday night, unleashes a sea of speculation as to who should lead the Supreme Court.
It also opened a feud between Republicans interested in moving Judge John G. Roberts Jr. into Sandra Day O'Connor's soon-to-be vacant position.
President Bush has some big decisions to make and let's hope he's interested in representing the ever-changing face of America and not just finding a conservative lackey.
The prospect of a minority, of any kind, heading to the Supreme Court is exciting. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales (who is Hispanic) and Judge Edith Brown Clement, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit are two names that have been thrown in the ring. While we may not support their political stance, the fact that they are minorities is what we're after.
The rapidly expanding minority presence in this country should not be overlooked. It is not completely unlikely for a minority to be chosen. In Bush's cabinet there are many minority members.
Hoping for anything other than another overwhelmingly right-wing addition, however, would be an idealistic waste.
Although back-and-forth bantering as to who will fill the vacant spots has already begun, there is almost no question as to whether or not the conservative political foundation will remain in tact.
A female, minority liberal, or even a moderate, would be a surprising change of pace, but a shift in political balance is very unlikely. An honorable hope? Yes, but merely honorable.
