September 5 - Domestic - Chief Justice Rhenquist Dies

**Chewie** · 09-04-2005, 01:14 AM

Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rhenquist has died. Rhenquist was a conservative, appointed by President Nixon in 1971 and taking his seat in '72. He was elevated to Chief Justice by Reagan in '86.

Rhenquist had been suffering from thyroid cancer for quite some time, but had vowed to serve as long as his health would allow.

The death leaves Bush with his second vacancy to fill on the Supreme Court, after Sandra Day O'Connor retired earlier this year to spend time with her ill husband.

**jdcongresscapt** · 09-04-2005, 07:31 AM

This time around, I doubt it will be so easy for Bush to find a replacement. I figure the gas crisis and Katrina will feature prominently in this one. Bush could be pressured to choose (most likely another conservative) but a left-leaning one, perhaps.