R.I.P. Chief Justice Rehnquist

William Hubbs Rehnquist has died after a year-long battle with thyroid cancer. He was born in Milwaukee on October 1, 1924 and raised in Shorewood.

In 1972, he was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Nixon, and promoted to chief justice by President Reagan in 1986. Rehnquist's tenure came as the court gradually shifted to the right. Only two justices currently serving on the court were appointed by a Democrat (President Clinton).

Rehnquist's death means that the most senior justice, John Paul Stevens, will temporarily assume the duties of chief justice until a replacement is appointed. President Bush now has the opportunity to appoint another justice before the hearings on John Roberts, who is replacing Sandra Day O'Connor, even get started.

If he so chooses, Bush can also promote a sitting justice to chief justice and nominate another associate justice. My guess would be that Bush promotes Antonin Scalia to chief justice. However, with the Supreme Court reconvening in a month, he may opt to appoint a chief justice from outside the court, and avoid the third round of hearings that a promotion would entail.