Hail to "The Chief"
While I knew Chief Justice Rehnquist's health was deteriorating, there was still an element of surprise upon hearing of his death this past weekend. This is a man who served on the Court for practically all my life (all but 2½ years). He is one of only two Chief Justices that I remember. More importantly, this is a Justice who played a major role in the development of American Jurisprudence. He will be sorely missed.My favorite story about Chief Justice Rehnquist tells us just how brilliant this man was. During his confirmation hearings for Chief Justice in the 1986, Rehnquist was putting on an amazing display of legal knowledge. He was basically lecturing the Senate Judiciary Committee on the finer points of Constitutional Law. He wasn't letting anything slip. If a Senator made an incorrect statement, Rehnquist corrected them. Intellectually, he was on fire. But, he was coming across a bit flat from a personality point of view. During one of the breaks a Republican Senator slipped him a note saying that he was doing great, but that he was coming across a bit flat and asking if he could be a bit more personably to the committee. Rehnquist responded that he would try, but that it was difficult due to the fact that he was on a great deal of pain medication for his back. I am always amazed at that story. Despite being doped up on pain medication for his back, Rehnquist was still able to put on an astounding intellectual display.
He truly was a brilliant man.
posted by Squirrel @ 12:55 PM
1 Comments:
Rehnquist certainly made an impact and filling his shoes will be a tall order. That being said, this fall is shaping up to be rather interesting concerning confirmation hearings.
I think Roberts should "sail through" as it were, but the next nominee? Time will tell.
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