Goldstein on the Democratic Short List:
Over at SCOTUSblog, Tommy Goldstein speculates about who might be nominated for the next Supreme Court spot if a Democrat wins the White House in 2008. It's all speculation, of course, but it's interesting speculation.
UPDATE: I noticed that Judge Diane P. Wood of the 7th Circuit is in Tommy's full chart of possibilities, but not on his list of likely picks. Although Judge Wood is slightly older than some of the others (born in 1950, so she would be 59 in 2009), I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up at the top of Democratic short lists. From what I know she is an excellent judge, and her sterling credentials and experience on the Seventh Circuit would probably help a great deal in the confirmation process.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Commenter "Actuarial Advantage" raises an excellent point: Given that women live on average 5 years longer than men, a President probably has more flexibility on the age of a female SCOTUS nominee than a male SCOTUS nominee.
UPDATE: I noticed that Judge Diane P. Wood of the 7th Circuit is in Tommy's full chart of possibilities, but not on his list of likely picks. Although Judge Wood is slightly older than some of the others (born in 1950, so she would be 59 in 2009), I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up at the top of Democratic short lists. From what I know she is an excellent judge, and her sterling credentials and experience on the Seventh Circuit would probably help a great deal in the confirmation process.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Commenter "Actuarial Advantage" raises an excellent point: Given that women live on average 5 years longer than men, a President probably has more flexibility on the age of a female SCOTUS nominee than a male SCOTUS nominee.