kp606
karllikespies
Looks like with the retirement of Justice O'Connor there will be a huge debate over who should fill her position. The debate is even worse because justice O'Connor is a moderate and was always considered a swing vote on the court. One of the most important decisive factors in nominees will be the judge's stance on abortion. Conservatives are seeing this as a possible oppurtinity to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Liberals are seeking another moderate. Other important factors that could weigh in on an nominees chances of passing will be his/her stances on separation of church and state, gay marriage, affirmative action, and funding of religious organizations/schools. So onto the point of disscussion, should nominees be voted on their stances on abortion and other issues or thier ability to make thier decisions based on the constitution? Should we have another moderate, and reduce the nation divide or seek someone much more conservative which could further drift the country apart?
If the country is drifting apart from a moderate, doesn't that mean a conservative... or a liberal... will just do it worse?
That depends on who it is. O'connor played an essenitail role in determining the outcome of a decision, while others were(are) easy to predict which way they will vote, O'connor could go either way. For example if rehnquist, who is also expected to retire soon, leaves it would be less controversial to replace him with another heavy conservative. Although of course there would still be an effort to go against it, the balance of the court wouldn't be altered that much.
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