Musings on O'Connor

I heard about O'Connor earlier in the day, and due to the fact that I was working on some time-sensitive material I didn't get a chance to check out the media and blogs on it right away. I thus decided to make this post "blind," i.e. without seeing the circumstances or any opinions on what will come next, etc.

My basic take: get ready for a shitstorm. We all knew that the filibuster deal made between moderates in the Senate would be tested sooner or later, but nobody thought it would be to replace one of the non-hardcore right wingers on the court. In my view, this is an entirely different ballgame... the right has a chance to pick up a solid vote here, particularly on the issue of abortion, rather than nailing down an already-held seat (i.e. Rehnquist's) for another length of time.

Bush won't select anyone other than a hardcore winger... that much is certain. But how will that effect and be affected by other issues such as privatization of social security and the war? Could a defeat here completely neuter the administration? Or is it an opportunity to get everything back in line? ("In line" insofar as their approval rating and not necessarily employing good policies)

As far as O'Connor is concerned, screw her... she has been lauded as this great moderating voice, but what has she really done except keep Roe v. Wade off the table? Her vote and opinion in Bush v. Gore was a low point in the country's history, and my dim view of her was sealed with her vote and opinion in the Andrade case.

More later after I have had the chance to do some reading...