Centerfield

I'm not convinced. As a general rule, I assume that anything I read on the blogosphere requires legitimizing confirmation, and anything which Drudge reports is per se false.

I mean, it could happen, but with speculation so rampant, it's easy to see that speculation could cross the line into false facts. Let's hold our horses until we have it from a reputable source.

Like Rehnquist. ;-)

More feeding frenzy: Redstaters are beginning to pass the "word" from their own sources that Stevens is also ready to turn in his robe. My sources say "so far, just a rumor."

I think we need to start a new Pointless Speculation thread!

I think there's a very good point made over on CNN's coverage:

Meantime, the chief justice continued his public silence. Rehnquist, a widower who lives alone, didn't pause Friday when asked if the retirement speculation was true.

"I would bet Rehnquist is thinking it would be demeaning to the office of chief justice to put out a press release saying `I'm not retiring this summer,"' [Supreme Court historian at Emory University David] Garrow said.

I think Redstate deserves more credit than that, Tully... They scooped the O'Conner retirement and have been pretty close if not completely accurate on other news items. Furthermore, I don't see the harm, nor understand why it is pointless to speculate. Redstate, to my knowledge, did not say that Stevens was retiring, but rather, that he made certain moves in his personal life that could lead one to that conclusion, and furthermore, that his retirement would make political sense because it would more than likely put pressure on the President to appoint at least some moderates. Let's not get confused hear, my defense of Redstate's reporting is in no way a defense of much of the substance on that site which, IMO, amounts to un-original right wing banter.

Correction: Justice O'Connor's retirement was scooped by the Volokh Conspiracy's Orin Kerr.

Simon,

Oh please... I am not sure it can be proven, but if not, they were a close second.

Wouldn't it be hilarious--even if completely unrealistic--for the Chief to announce tonight that he will have an announcement Monday afternoon, only to announce then that he's not retiring? Oh, the delicious agony of the pundits this weekend.

SCOTUSblog notes that the White House has told the press corps to go home. It was just a rumour. I love JJD's idea, though. ;)

I stand by my comments of June 28:

It seems to me that this term would not be the note on which the Chief would want to leave; as I think Tom mentioned the other day, any number of cases have not gone the way I suspect he'd prefer or would have expected. Tom also noted on the SCOTUS nomination blog that Rehnquist certainly has the facility to carry on for as long as he's physically able, so it becomes a question of will. So I wonder if, even had Rehnquist nursed a desire to leave back in January, it evaporated as cases were decided. ...[Thus] I would be far from surprised - and far from displeased - if he did stay.

Tom also noted on the SCOTUS nomination blog that Rehnquist certainly has the facility to carry on for as long as he's physically able, so it becomes a question of will.

Reading that sentence reminded me of the fictional justice hanging on in his death bed in "The Pelican Brief." It was that one, right? That guy's books are all the same.

I've chatted today with my right leaning DC source and my left leaning DC source...neither know a thing about Rhenquist retiring.

Both of them are pretty well connected.

If he's really retiring..no one knows about it, LOL

Sometimes the rumors are more fun than the real thing--and we certainly need some humor this week.

Two dumbest WELL, DUH! headlines on DRUDGE tonight:

"Supreme Court Speculation Fuels Rumors"

"Reid won't rule out filibuster over Supreme Court nominee"

Dumb headlines on Drudge?

Who'd have thunk it? LOL

It's those bloody obvious DUH! headlines that really crack me up, Carla. Like SKY DARKER AT NIGHT! or RAIN IS WET!

I mean, "Speculation Fuels Rumors"?!?! Well, DUH!!!!

For what it's worth...my personal opinion...I feel sorry for the man. I do think the endless speculation is way over the top. What's next? "Excuse me sir, our sources tell us that you are likely to pass in the next 24 hours. Do you care to comment?" But then again, some have just about gotten that personal.

He'll announce if and when he's damn ready to do it. Until then, just let the guy do his job in peace.

radical democrat centrists like myself will
hopefully make congressman-senator(del)(wy)(usa)
one day.in the meantime i will help my political
colleague senator clinton conservative democrat
liberal in her role as speaker,orator,declaimer,
arguer,debater etc. for democratic party policies
no matter what faction so that hopefully we can win and retain democrat seats and regain congress
and the executive against republican(gop)
candidates and nominees reactionaries and reformers.moderates from both parties will weigh policy direction.