May 1st, 2009
03:13 PM ET
13 years ago
Justice Souter notifies White House he is retiring
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Justice David Souter announced he will retire from the Supreme Court, after informing the White House Friday of his plans.
Souter's letter:
May 1, 2009Dear Mr. President:
When the Supreme Court rises for the summer recess this year, I intend to retire from active service as a Justice, under provisions of 28 US.C section 371 (b) (1), having attained the age and met the service requirements of subsection (c) of that section. I mean to continue to render substantial judicial service as an Associate Justice.
Yours respectfully
s/ David SouterThe President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
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I think Michelle Obama would make a great Supreme Court Justice!
Americans should punish the republicans till they apologize of lying to rush to war!
Hey Obama give me some money!
I think all of this was highly orchestrated by the Obama administration to get another liberal judge seated. It all began with the "reconciliation" piece in the budget so the Republicans wouldn't filibuster it, then the move of Arlen Specter to the Dems to secure a "no chance for filibuster" action on any other legislation, and then the retirement of Justice Souter. I'd say that Obama and all his cronies have everything all tied up now and we are guaranteed to go down that slippery path to socialism and rampant liberalism. Hurry up 2012!
Not much of a letter. It almost sounds like he is "fed up" and just wants to get out of there. I would expect more from someone of his statute and experience.
"... yet he and Congressional Democrats are pushing our nation further and faster to the left than voters bargained for. "
Moron. He's doing exactly what he told everyone he was going to do. How that could possibly be "more than we bargained for" is...well...it just plain can't, so stuff it Steele.
Dear Mr. President,
We want a supreme court judge appointed to the bench that are more intelligent than the current supreme court judge appointed by ex president Bush.
Thanks you
Carlos
Thank you, Justice Souter, for your service to your country. Enjoy your retirement.
Welcome home Justice Souter:
Enjoy your retirement! You certainly deserve it. Sit back and enjoy the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins up close and personal.
New Hampshire welcomes you home!
Laura
Keene State College
I admire Justice Souter. He has been open minded and not allowed politics to sway his decisions.
Also, he is responsible enough to want to retire at a desirable age,
and not grow into the mold of bigoted, tired old men,
Happy retirement to him.
Good riddance – take Ruth with you – liberals!!!
The lying liberal is leaving. Good!
Thank you Judge Souter, you have been and are a credit to both America, and the human race.
Wow, what a week. Two worthless liberals jumping ship.
Grateful for a Justice Thomas and Scalia neutralizer.
I am so grateful at this moment that we have a Democratic President who will be making this next Supreme Court appointment!!!
Munchmom: How does it sway the majority of the Court if the current Administration is to replace one so called "liberal" with another?
Souter has, in fact, been one of the more moderate and neutral parties on the current Court as well as during the Rehnquist tenure. He has been remarkably unbaised and fair in his opinions, given the recent political climate in this country.
As much as I love a good conspiracy theory, I highly doubt the move of Arlen Specter and the retirement of Souter are directly correlated.
And justice for all (if you're rich- ya ain't guilty)
Yea, that's it, you'all, keep the language of bullies and fear mongers, it had served the Republican party well; America, not so much. Moderates like myself have been leaving the party for the past 15 years. Sure, for a while they were able to make even greater gains with the religious right, but the trend crested in 2004.
Over the next 8 years Obama will likely appoint 4 judges, and perhaps as many as 7 of them. I suspect that most will be very similar in judicial temperament as the Yankee Republican who announced his retirement today.
We need a few of the crooked right-wing justices to retire, not the honest ones!
Good Riddance to Souter. I sincerely hope the ugly – craggly Darth Bader Ginsburg follows soon.
GOP has veto power in the Senate Judiciary Committee... unless the dems (as they have so far) choose to completely change the established Senate rules.
I sure do wish it would have been the Bush appointees instead.
I am sure OUR President will choose someone just perfect as a replacement. We already know that the Republicans will say NO to whoever President Obama selects. He should go as far left as he can with his first choice and then a moderate will look wonderful to the Party of NO.
Can't wait for Scalea, Roberts and Thomas to retire. I pray it will be soon.