Liberal Supreme Court Justice, John Paul Stevens announced to President Obama on April 9 that he would be resigning from office this summer. Almost 90 years old, Stevens is one of the oldest and longest-serving justices in history, joining the court in 1975 when President Gerald Ford was in office. His resignation has been hinted at for months in Washington and he will officially be stepping down when the court finishes its work for the summer in late June or early July. Throughout his career, John Paul Stevens has supported abortion, gay rights, and gun restrictions and was opposed to the death penalty.
Officials say that Barack Obama is currently considering 10 possible replacements and wants someone who possesses the same qualities as Stevens did including, “an independent mind, a record of excellence and integrity, a fierce dedication to the rule of law, and a keen understanding of how the law affects the daily lives of the American people.” Among the most possible candidates are Elena Kagan, Diane Wood, and Merrick Garland. Steven’s absence is not said to upset the balance of the court’s split between the 5 conservatives and 4 liberals because sources say that Obama will most likely choose a candidate leaning more towards the liberal side.
I thought that this story was kind of interesting to read about. I find it remarkable that John Paul Stevens has been a part of the Supreme Court for almost 40 years and is just now retiring. He must have been very dedicated and passionate about the court to have been a member for as long as he was. He has been a very influential person in the outcome of many major court cases and gained the respect of all his fellow justices during his career. I hope that he enjoys his well deserved retirement.
Sources: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/09/supreme-court-justice-john-paul-stevens-retire/
http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre63836r-us-usa-court-stevens/
Comments