Rumor has it that Justice John Paul Stevens, the senior member of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing, may call it quits when the current court term ends in June. Sources say he’s fed up with being in a powerless liberal minority — and recently expressed that frustration in some pretty colorful language for a Supreme Court justice: “I can’t put up with this shit anymore!” MORE »

No doubt fresh on the heels of a confab with Pat Robertson, toothpick harpie Ann Coulter has made some helpful dietary suggestions for Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens:

“We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens’ creme brulee,” Coulter said. “That’s just a joke, for you in the media.”

The report goes on to note that Coulter “drew more boos when she said the crack cocaine problem ‘has pretty much gone away.’” She clearly hasn’t been to my house. — AMBITIOUS HECKLER MORE »

• Bush may tap Roberts to be chief justice; “the situation represents a rare chance to cement a more conservative court and his own legacy at the same time.” [WP, LAT]
• Roberts‘ confirmation hearings likely to be postponed; advocacy groups mobilize. Bartlett on Rehnquist’s successor: “There is a short list, and it’s being worked very hard.” [NYT, WP, NYT, WT]
• Fellow justices surprised by timing of Rehnquist’s death. O’Connor: “I asked him, and he told me he really wanted to go another year and thought he’d be O.K. . . He was wonderful. He had a light touch. He never held a grudge.” [NYT]
• Brownstein: “[W]ith Bush’s sagging poll numbers and the turbulent aftermath of Hurricane Katrina threatening to disrupt much of his legislative agenda, the debates over Roberts and Rehnquist’s successor could offer the president his best chance to energize his core supporters and generate victories on Capitol Hill.” [LAT]
• Bush’s options lead to a conservative court. Historian Robert Dallek: “These crises are such a heavy burden, and they are so self-inflicted, except for the court vacancies, that if he is not very careful and tries to put across someone who is seen as an ultraconservative, he is going to touch off a conflagration in the Senate.” [WP, NYT, USAT]

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