Obama personally announces Souter's retirement
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Justice David Souter announced Friday he will retire from the Supreme Court, after informing the White House of his plans.
Souter, in a brief letter to the president, said "When the Supreme Court rises for the summer recess this year, I intend to retire from active service as a justice." The current term is expected to end in late June.
President Barack Obama - breaking into the daily White House news briefing - thanked Souter for his service and said he will choose as his replacement someone who understands "the realities" people go through every day, and someone who understands "the rule of law."
The president said he also will seek someone with a "sharp, independent mind" who has integrity and strives for excellence.
He described Souter as "not only a good judge, but a good person," adding, "I'm incredibly grateful for his good service."
"I wish him safe travels on his journey home and on the road ahead," the president said.
From CNN Politics
- US flying surveillance drones farther south over Black Sea after collision with Russian fighter jet, officials say
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- US to send Patriot missile systems and tanks to Ukraine faster than originally planned
- Bruce Springsteen, Gladys Knight among group honored at the White House
- Untitled
- Exclusive: Communications between Stormy Daniels and Trump attorney turned over to Manhattan DA
Of course he needs to retire. How else is going to spend his Exxon payoff money?
ego, Ego, EGo, EGO!
this loser just can't stay away from a camera
Maybe Obama plans to abolish the supreme court...he has a Congressional majority and none of them believe in Constitutional rules.
Till Republicans surrender and apologize of illegal war and their lies to rush Americans to war!
His departure will be a loss to the system. I wish him a happy retirement.
Mr. President,
Thank you for being gracious, sincere, respectful and most of all, intelligent enough to make a statement using real words.
A US Citizen
I'm with you Jerry! And geash I am so sick of looking at Obama-he's scary!
It's not ego, it's protocol President Obama haters. Next.
CNN should stop pushing the Latin Sonia Sotomayor for Souter's replacement.
President Obama has his own mind, and if he picks any minority woman, he should pick an African-American woman (Sears).
The Latin community had their chance with Alberto Gonzalez and he was a disaster.
I thought everybody already knew, I guess Hillary Clinton was the first one notified.
It should be one (or more) of those right wing fanatic justices with their delusions of grandeur that should be retiring.
@ Willy Brown
Bitter, Bitter, Bitter, Bitter
Jerry May 1st, 2009 4:05 pm ET
Maybe Obama plans to abolish the supreme court…he has a Congressional majority and none of them believe in Constitutional rules.
AND WHAT PARTY BROKE ALL THE CONSTITUTIONAL RULES FOR 8 YEARS. THE REPUBICANS RIGHT! Sorry Jerry it is your party that done believe in Constiitutional rules. Aboration is not a Constitutional rule, but you nutting Republicans think it is.
This wil be a defining moment for the Obama administration. I think the president will make a good choise.
Now the doors open for abortion on demand at any age and for any reason. Infanticide itself will take another Supreme Court retirement.
Yeah, Jerry, I'm sure Obama is looking to abolish the Supreme Court.....you people are so angry and you really don't know what about. Give it a rest.
And as far as Obama's 'ego' – give that one a rest, too. He is the President of the United States, and everything he does is considered 'news'. Though, I'm sure you all probably think that's only true with white Presidents......
I love the haters.. Obama is a genuine human being who treats others like human beings... and feels they deserve to be sent off with a personal farewell. Yeah, real egotistical..
You people.. like Willy Brown.. are idiots. Egotistical would be someone who feels they are too good or too important to deal with a trite goodbye to a colleague. Personally wishing someone good luck and fare well is the exact opposite of being egotistical.. it's being down to earth and honorable.
Obama has tons of time for these press conferences. Does he have time to work in between all of his face time?
Make no mistake: "the realities people go through" is code for interpreting the Constitution as a living, changing document, NOT as the unchangeable rock it should be.
He needs to chose someone who will enforce the law and not someone who decides cases based on circumstances the person is in – the law is the law. I also hope he choses someone who will not allow the federal government to take on more rights and take away states rights.
CNN, Obama takes reporters by suprise, yea and they all had a chill run up there leg to.........
Hopefully Souter's replacement won't be a Federalist Society nutcase who thinks corporations are more important than people.
phoenix86,
Get a life. You really are a liberal in disguide trying your darnest to make Republicans look bad. You are good at it. Your tone gives you away.:)
Obummer hadn't had his ego stroked today, so he needed to get in front of the camera, again.
I don't know who is more of a "ham", Obummer or 'Slick Willy' Clinton.