Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist is Dead

Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist died last night in Virginia of thyroid cancer.  He was 80.  President Bush this morning vowed a speedy nomination for Rehnquist's replacement, even as the Senate prepares to begin consideration of his nomination of John Roberts to replace Sandra Day O'Connor.  Rehnquist's absence leaves John Paul Stevens, the court's eldest member, temporarily in charge.  O'Connor, who asked to be replaced, said she would not leave her seat until her replacement is confirmed, leaving eight members on the court following Rehnquist's death.

Rehnquist, who was appointed by Richard Nixon in 1972, served for 33 years, and was promoted to Chief Justice by Reagan in 1986.  Among the key decisions he considered while on the court:

• Roe v. Wade (1973),
• McCleskey v. Kemp (1987), which upheld capital punishment,
• US v. Eichman (1990), which upheld flag-burning as constitutional (Rehnquist dissented),
• Clinton v. Jones (1997) which found a sitting president can be sued in civil court, and
• Bush v. Gore (2001), which put George W. Bush in the White House following the disputed 2000 election.

Rehnquist was born in Milwaukee in 1924.  He is survived by three children.

Discuss.

Sept. 04, 2005 Posted in in the news 2005.