O'Connor Resigns

US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has announced her resignation effective the confirmation of her successor. Thus far, speculation has centred on Chief Justice Rhenquist's expected departure, however, O'Connor's departure is much bigger news. While Rhenquist would likely be replaced by another right-leaning justice leaving the court of similar political leanings though it's disposition might change slightly, O'Connor is the key swing vote on most contentious issues that come before the Court. If her replacement is a right-leaning Republican (and you can bet that's who Bush will nominate to replace her), the Court could change drastically in its ideological leanings. For starters, the legality of affirmative action and abortion would all of a sudden be on the table. You can expect that the Democrats and their allies will pull out all the stops to prevent Bush's nominee from being confirmed. Likewise, Bush, the Republicans, and their allies will do all they can to make sure they get a more right-wing Court.

All hell is about to beak loose in the US. Expect massive television advertising and a stagnated Congress at the very least. Hold on to your seats! I don't think we'll have seen anything like this ever before.