WASHINGTON-On September 3, 2005, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court William Rehnquist passed away. With Justice Sandra day O’Connor ready to retire, this leaves President George W. Bush with two vacancies on the Supreme Court.
However, O’Conner has decided to postpone her retirement until Rehnquist’s position is filled.
President Bush nominated John Roberts for the position on September 5. Roberts is 50 years old and, if appointed, will be the youngest Supreme court Justice in the history of the United States Supreme Court.
He worked was a clerk for Justice Rehnquist prior to Rehnquist’s appointment as a Supreme Court Justice. Roberts, a promising candidate, has extensive experience with the courts and the Judicial System at the national level.
PSU student Beth Porter commented on the situation, “I’ve been following the Bush regime for the past five years and have yet to see them make a logical rational choice, and I don’t think Roberts is going to be their first. I believe that the administration is trying to make Roberts appeal to both sides by only showing us the ‘good’ that he’s done.” Porter continues, “I recall seeing something about how Roberts won’t overturn Roe Vs. Wade because it’s in the past. Well that’s all well and good in rhetoric, but who’s to say he won’t make new laws against it.”
Roberts is known to take a “hard line against abortion.” According to womensissues.com. It’s not just women’s issues that are in jeopardy at this point. Prochoiceaction.org says that, “We must not allow someone who cannot be counted on to preserve personal freedoms to be appointed to be the most powerful judge on the most powerful Court in our country.”
PSU student Oliver Huck believes that “President Bush has made several mistakes, however he has a good foundation to be president. I trust his decision.”
The senate will begin the hearings to confirm John Roberts’ nomination as the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court on September 13. The decision must be made quickly as the fall session of the Supreme Court starts on October 3.