I just read a diary
here that states O'Conner may stay on as SC Justice for a short period of time, through June, the end of the session. O'Conner is "prepared to do that" though the President hasn't made a descision about how he is going to do that.
News link here
Democratic Strategy Below the Fold
If we have an opportunity to push this towards a delayed second nomination or a quick nomination, we have to make a descision:
Either we beleive that Bush's numbers will continue to fall and put off the O'Conner replacement nomination for next year, hoping it is the next Bork and we can turn it into a campaign issue and take back both houses of Congress.
- or -
We push NOW while we've got Bush on the ropes. He's not in a position to put some batshit crazy religo-zealot on the court now. He doesn't have the support. This might change, so we see our opening and take it. 'Show some spine' and kick him while he's down.
Both have merit. Both have logic. Both have potential consequences if they fail.
Seperately, we should think like a Republican for a minute. What's best for them? Unfortunately, just as it could go either way for us, it could go either way for them, too.
I think that the reaction that the Republicans have to this situation will be revealing. If they push now, they betray a lack of confidence about their own future, or at least the future of their President. If they delay, they abandon the central theme of this administration, the "I want it NOW, damn the introspection" vein that has run through every descision they've made. To wait also admits weakness, something Bush/Rove are generally unwilling to do.
I don't know which option is better for us. Any ideas?