What if Ashcroft resigned to get ready for the Supreme Court?

[bleedingheart]

Please tell me I am nuts but I wonder if he isn't getting ready to be nominated to replace Rehnquist.

I can't find much about his career in law but I did find this tidbit ..

"Ashcroft came to national prominence in the late 1980s when Missouri brought suit to enforce a state law restricting abortion in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately upheld Missouri’s law. "

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761581415/John_Ashcroft.html

What are the requirements for the Supreme Court..???

Perhaps Ashcroft won't be Rehnquist's replacement but I would find it very interesting if he would be appointed to a federal bench so that he could wait out the next one to leave....

[Dookus]

1. There are no requirements

to be a Supreme Court justice.

[bleedingheart]

3. Well isn't that a bit scary...

I was searching about on Google...can't find anything..

[Dookus]

4. Article III

of the US Constitution describes the judicial branch. It says:

Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section. 2.
Clause 1: The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;--between a State and Citizens of another State; (See Note 10)--between Citizens of different States, --between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

Clause 2: In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

Clause 3: The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section. 3.
Clause 1: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

Clause 2: The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

[bleedingheart]

10. I saw that but silly me I thought perhaps there was something more

[gmoney]

5. Untrue...

You have to be able to suck a golf ball through a 20-foot length of garden hose. (This was implemented just prior to Clarence Thomas's nomination.)

[bleedingheart]

8. You don't even have to be a lawyer...now that is eye opening!

wow...

[Dookus]

13. Correct

however, no non-lawyer has ever been nominated.

[yardwork]

18. Does Clarence Thomas actually have a degree in law?

I didn't know that.

In any case, the Thomas bar is set very, very low. Don't forget who gave us Clarence Thomas, that cuddly old dude, Poppy Bush.

[Dookus]

21. Yes

he has a J.D. from Yale, and was admitted to the bar in Missouri in '74.

[The Jacobin]

22. Wasn't Warren the Governor of California

I think he was a politician, not a judge before he was nominated to the Chief Justice.

He may have still been a lawyer, though.

[Dookus]

24. Yes

he was a politician. I'm sure plenty of non-judges have been nominated, but they've all been lawyers.

[TimeToGo]

2. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

[dave502d]

6. Don't even joke about that. n/t

[JNelson6563]

7. That was my first thought

but I understand "health concerns" was a reason cited. Wouldn't that be a strike against him as a SC cand.?

Julie

[Mz Pip]

9. At least he's

old. We could do worse. We could get a young fundie. :crazy:

MzPip
:dem:

[bleedingheart]

11. Santorum...that would be wicked...

he would be young, sanctimonious and he would tear the constitution apart.

[Dookus]

14. he's not old

he's 62, and mean bastards like him live forever.

[justa]

16. Don't think we could do worse.

I grew up in Missouri with this sanctimonious half wit. of course as soon as I say it * will nominate Lucifer.

[zoeb]

12. I think

Arlin Specter is waiting on this kind of nomination. I saw him back peddling on CNN earlier this evening about blocking pro-life candidates but you got to play politics to get the seat. I don't suspect Arlin will give in to the religious right's values all the while surrendering his moderate views.

[yardwork]

19. Another perennial mention is Orrin Hatch

but he's got problems of his own these days.

[zoeb]

25. stands as much chance as Alan Keyes...n/t

[RegexReader]

27. Specter is a screwed

for opposing chimpy too early. He's going nowhere fast. The fundies are on him like flies on manure.

RegexReader
$USA =~ s/Republican/Democrat/ig;

[amber dog democrat]

15. Somehow I don't see the Senate going for this.

but it would be interesting seeing the Chimp Admin try to appoint him.

[bowens43]

17. Not a chance.

The republicans don't even like that nut job.

[mountainvue]

20. I have it on good authority that they

want a Hispanic. Ahscroft is ill.

[__Inanna__]

23. I read that Ashcroft and W share the same spiritual beliefs

Hi, I am new here, so I don't have a link to back up everything. However, in my research I did read that he and W. are tight and of the same spiritual ilk. A special sorta bond, if you will. So I wouldn't be surprised if this took place. Going forward, I'll have to save more links.

[mountainvue]

28. Looking for a

Hispanic.:)

[wanpete]

26. Yikes! No...double yikes!

:scared:

[Eurobabe]

29. nope, not gonna happen, read Froomkin's briefing today

Dan Eggen and Mike Allen write in The Washington Post: "Ashcroft -- aware of the controversy he has provoked and, according to friends, exhausted after his illness -- preemptively offered his letter before the White House initiated a formal discussion about his future...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/politics/administration/whbriefing/