(January 26, 2010 - Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images North America)
The newly christened “swing-vote” of the Nation’s Highest Court, Justice Anthony Kennedy, has reportedly told friends and family that he is in no hurry to hang up his robe. Kennedy may be basking in the sunlight of a newfound importance on the bench as many who closely follow the Court believe he is relishing the role of “tiebreaker” since Sandra Day O’Connor retired in 2006. Kennedy, a Reagan nominee, is often characterized by the ideological Left as a member of the “conservative block” – the group comprised of Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas, and Alito. Ironically, many on the other end of the political spectrum see Kennedy as a wayward soul who rarely adheres to the strict interpretation principles which guide the aforementioned ”conservative block.” The strange dichotomy may in fact give credence to the characterization that he is the new tie-breaker of the Court of Last Resort.
Whether it is his new position of perceived power or simply a newfound lease on life, the nearly 74-year old Justice who many had believed would step down sometime before the next Presidential election, appears content to remain on the Court through at least 2013 and past the end of President Obama’s term in office. Such a decision would signal an end to President Obama’s nominations unless he is able to gain reelection in 2012.
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Ed Morrissey at Hot Air had this to add regarding the perceived change of heart by Justice Kennedy. Remarking on an assertion made by the New York Daily News that Kennedy may have decided to wait out the President after he made disparaging remarks about the Court during his January State of the Union, Morrissey hits the nail on the head…
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