BULLETIN:  STEVENS TO RETIRE – AT 10:51 A.M. ET:  Associate Justice John Paul Stevens of the United States Supreme Court has announced his retirement.

Justice Stevens is the honorary leader of the Court's liberal bloc.  So, you will be reading a great deal of gibberish that Obama's choice to replace him will "not change the Court's ideological balance."  Don't believe a word of that.  Liberalism, like any other philosophy, has degrees.  Stevens is a mainstream liberal, not a radical liberal.  Obama, who will seek confirmation before the November elections, may go for broke and name a gold-plated lefty.

Justice Stevens's retirement means there will be no Protestants on the Supreme Court.  I bring that up only because there is so much hoopla about other groups.  Protestants deserve their day in court, so to speak, as well.  This will be brought to Obama's attention, and I have a hunch he will appoint a Protestant to avoid flak. 

Let the speculation begin.  Names to come.

April 9, 2010