Breaking: Is John Roberts about to resign from the Supreme Court? Update: Drudge source: “News to me”; Update: Radar retracts
posted at 12:55 pm on March 4, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Update II: Radar retracted the story a few minutes ago:
RadarOnline.com has obtained new information that Justice Roberts will NOT resign. The justice will be staying on the bench.
Nice work, Radar. Original post follows …
====
According to Radar Online, the next Supreme Court justice to step down won’t be John Paul Stevens or Ruth Bader Ginsburg after all. Claiming an exclusive scoop from unnamed sources, they say that the next resignation will be that of conservative Chief Justice John Roberts — which would allow Barack Obama to significantly change the tenor of the nation’s top court:
John Roberts, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, is seriously considering stepping down from the nation’s highest court for personal reasons, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.
Roberts, known for his conservative judicial philosophy, has served on the Supreme Court since 2005, having been nominated by President George W. Bush after the death of former Chief William Rehnquist.
RadarOnline.com has been told that Roberts, 55, could announce his decision at any time.
If true, this would be nothing short of an apocalypse for conservatives. George Bush appointed Roberts at the age of 50, which gave the Right some comfort in the probability that Roberts would remain on the job for at least a couple of decades. An early retirement would mean a lost opportunity to maintain conservative consistency from the Supreme Court.
Until now, we had considered Obama’s potential SCOTUS appointments more or less as a push. With Stevens approaching 90 and Ginsburg reportedly in poor health, Obama seemed to only have the opportunity to replace liberal justices with equally liberal appointments. If Roberts steps down, it immediately changes the balance of the court. It would take a conservative President years just to reset the balance to today’s status quo.
The question is whether Radar’s sourcing will hold up. Conservatives will be praying that it won’t. For Roberts to step down now, one would have to assume a very serious illness or family matter arose that absolutely would keep him from fulfilling his duties. We’ll see shortly.
Update: Drudge has a quote from a court source that says, “This is not happening … It’s news to me.”
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »
“We shall filibuster on the beaches, we shall filibuster on the landing grounds, we shall filibuster in the fields and in the streets, we shall filibuster in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
–Churchill.
Emperor Norton on March 4, 2010 at 1:15 PM
BREAKING! Vice President Biden considering stepping down for personal reasons.
See how easy it is? Everyone can do it!
Enoxo on March 4, 2010 at 1:15 PM
US Weekly: Anthony Kennedy Fine, Staying Put
JKahn913 on March 4, 2010 at 1:16 PM
Dan Rather has IBM Selectric memos proving Roberts did not complete his bar admission requirements. If there are documents you’d like to
fabricateelucidate in this matter, contact Dan at his email address: truefakes@rathernot.comMark30339 on March 4, 2010 at 1:17 PM
JKhan913–Is that a real headline or phony?
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:17 PM
I still take some issue with those that think of the above as a push. What takes it out of the ‘push’ category is obviously not the person and their legal philosophy but ensuring that same potential legal philosophy for another generation.
anuts on March 4, 2010 at 1:17 PM
I don’t think Slow Joe would step down for personal reasons since he said he has nothing to anyways. Unless his wife wants him to get a real job and get out of the house. LOL
Brat4life on March 4, 2010 at 1:18 PM
This is not breaking news on MediatTakeOut.com, so I don’t believe it.
SouthernGent on March 4, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Although this story is false, it should serve as an example to those on here who didn’t vote in 2008 “to send Republicans a message”.
jay12 on March 4, 2010 at 1:18 PM
“I’m pleased to announce that I have reached an agreement with my Democratic colleagues to end the filibuster and approve President Obama’s choice to replace Chief Justice Roberts.”
-Sen. Lindsey Graham
Mark1971 on March 4, 2010 at 1:18 PM
FIFY
cthulhu on March 4, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Are we absolutely sure this is false? 100 percent?
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:19 PM
I am hereby resigning from the office of the Presidency. I will spend some of my time trying to forgive myself for making America worse off when I could have made America better off with the same effort and I will spend the rest of my life living in a hut with my half-brother in Kenya studying horticulture.
MB4 on March 4, 2010 at 1:19 PM
Oh God I pray this is not true
unseen on March 4, 2010 at 1:19 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Chaos on the Hill! Michael Jackson’s doctor appointed as Supreme Court Chief!
REPORT: Zombie Reagan, the real father of John Edwards love child?
July 10 on March 4, 2010 at 1:20 PM
Oh no!1!!1!! News of the Weird just confirmed!!!!111!!!
ChrisB on March 4, 2010 at 1:20 PM
A two-bit celebrity gossip site has sources inside the Chief Justice’s inner circle?
Sorry, those sources wouldn’t go to a two-bit celebrity gossip site… they’d go to the NYT or WaPo.
Enoxo on March 4, 2010 at 1:20 PM
This claim is calculated for effect. They’re trying to unsettle Republicans.
MadisonConservative on March 4, 2010 at 1:20 PM
Oh lord…here goes my blood pressure again. Why would he resign?
changer1701 on March 4, 2010 at 1:21 PM
Roberts better stay on the court until he his dead body has to be lifted out of the chair a la Thurgood Marshall. Same for Kennedy, Alito, Scalia, and Thomas.
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:21 PM
Source: Brownbaggers
Christien on March 4, 2010 at 1:21 PM
Good god they’re announcing it on FOX!!
bernzright777 on March 4, 2010 at 1:22 PM
Did i hear thier might be a job opening for Van Jones?
heshtesh on March 4, 2010 at 1:22 PM
FWIW: NRO Corner says sources say baseless.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzIwNzU4MjBjZTZhYjk1MmUzOTlhODM2NjAwODIxOWQ=
BuckeyeSam on March 4, 2010 at 1:22 PM
Shannon Bream is about to report the truth about the story in 3 minutes after the break on Fox News.
kingsjester on March 4, 2010 at 1:23 PM
This would ruin my year.
nickj116 on March 4, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Wait, the rumor has gone all the way to Fox News?
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Although Ginsburg is a reliable liberal, Stevens’ imminent resignation is going to be huge for everyone, and the shoes that fill it are going to be huge. Stevens has basically written antitrust law for the past 25 years or so, taking it essentially exactly where Robert Bork wanted it – the consumer welfare model.
You get someone like Thurgood Marshall up there, and they could do a lot of damage to commerce in the United States.
Proud Rino on March 4, 2010 at 1:24 PM
/facepalm
“There are now reports online…” From a crappy celebrity website I’ve never heard of.
Enoxo on March 4, 2010 at 1:24 PM
NRO, Drudge source and a HA commenter who has a source close to the court all say “NOPE.”
Good Lt on March 4, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Phew.
nickj116 on March 4, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Come on…a story this big would get leaked to Radar Online over everyone else?
Anyone want to buy a lake? I have a few for sale, cheap.
Bishop on March 4, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Infirm as he was, Marshall stepped down, paving the way for Clarence Thomas.
Greek Fire on March 4, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Dear God in heaven, please no!
atheling on March 4, 2010 at 1:25 PM
come on megyn, shoot down the friggn story already!!
bernzright777 on March 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM
Well, they ought to stay just as long as Marshall, except Kennedy, who can step down whenever there is a “real” president in office.
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM
No.
Love,
God
ChrisB on March 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzIwNzU4MjBjZTZhYjk1MmUzOTlhODM2NjAwODIxOWQ=
So far, we got three UM…NOPEs.
I’m thinking Radar heard John Stevens and though he was John Roberts
Good Lt on March 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM
He needs to come out and deny this. With Stevens about to go, too, and possibly Ginsburg? Talk about packing the court!
changer1701 on March 4, 2010 at 1:27 PM
This reminds me of when Bob Hope “died” in 1998. Apparently, he was watching TV and saw the prerecorded obituaries from his bed!
July 10 on March 4, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Obama might be threatening the “real” Justices lives.
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Haha, well played. Well played indeed!
t.ferg on March 4, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Another Axelrod distraction.
Knucklehead on March 4, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Radar simply wanted to report that Julia Roberts was stepping out on the town and misspelled “Julia”.
ChrisB on March 4, 2010 at 1:28 PM
TMZ reports that AllahPundit at confession, reportedly asking priest forgiveness for his Apple-tini and french manicure obsessions and overall salvation from his Beta male status.
jp on March 4, 2010 at 1:29 PM
More John Roberts exclusives from Radaronline…
John Roberts Lost Sweet 16 Birthday Footage
John Roberts Mistress Will Claim He Had Gay Romps In Tell-All Book
John Roberts Losing Patience With Mischa Barton’s “Unprofessionalism”
John Roberts Emotional Goodbye To Casey Johnson
Watch John Roberts, The Dirtiest Player In Women’s Soccer
John Roberts Erupts! Video Showdown With His Mom Over Babies
30 Nude Photos, 8 Sex Tapes Of John Roberts Surface
John Roberts’ Daughter Caught Up In Cocaine Scandal
Chicago Waiter “Delighted” Over $4,000 Tip From John Roberts
John Roberts Sets Off Wild Fan Frenzy at Comic-Con!!!
Apple Ditches ‘John Roberts’ In New Ads
First Look: The John Roberts Porn Flick
John Roberts Scientology Scare
John Roberts’ Gay Timeline
John Roberts Quits Pussycat Dolls; Sings For Us!
Saved By The Bell’s Max Says John Roberts Is “Way Off The Mark”
Hailey’s Lesbian Lover Warns John Roberts, “She’ll Destroy You”
—
First time I posted this I included links… but it got caught by the moderator…
ninjapirate on March 4, 2010 at 1:29 PM
I believe with all my heart that Obama would kill a Justice to pass his agenda.
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:29 PM
They love teh money!
July 10 on March 4, 2010 at 1:29 PM
Shannon is gathering more information. She says no and will be on live after this break.
kingsjester on March 4, 2010 at 1:30 PM
The only shred of possibility to a source like Radar getting it over other sources is that the major media outlets claim they will not pay for stories…Radar, not so much. They’d pay well to break a story like this.
selias on March 4, 2010 at 1:30 PM
Fox News now has “Breaking News” from twitter…
oy
Enoxo on March 4, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Yeah, this is looking like BS. Wasn’t RADAROnline the group that had the exclusive on that octo-beeotch?
bernzright777 on March 4, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Yes, its a NO NO NO NO NO. People need to go to jail for this rumor.
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Obama’s meeting with House Democrats. This is a distraction.
kingsjester on March 4, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Good lord… get some standards…
ninjapirate on March 4, 2010 at 1:32 PM
Please Judge Roberts, say something! This can not be true. I am just sick.
L
letget on March 4, 2010 at 1:32 PM
Obama cooking up deals, filling the poison syringes, and collecting the “obscene material” in nice manila envelopes. Ready for action. Oh, and Gibbs leaked the falsity about Roberts.
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:32 PM
Looks like Drudge has completely removed the story.
Mark1971 on March 4, 2010 at 1:33 PM
I have a hilarious post up where I put john roberts name madlib style in real radaronline headlines… but it got caught in moderation…
ninjapirate on March 4, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Story gone, looks like we dodged a bullet.
rbj on March 4, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Drudge has completely removed the story giving me hope it is bogus.
marmaran on March 4, 2010 at 1:34 PM
It would be sweet for him to make a speech saying he will resign. And then, just not resign. Anytime someone asks him, he’ll say, “Yeah, totally, I’m resigning right now” but just keep on.
What are they gonna do about it?
July 10 on March 4, 2010 at 1:34 PM
That was only after Bush 41 won and it became clear he couldn’t hold out until at least 1993, which was the first year of the next presidency.
Until then, he’d been famously quoted as telling his aides “If I die, prop me up and keep voting for me.”
teke184 on March 4, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Good lord this would be awesome. Although it seems pretty unlikely. The guy’s 55.
crr6 on March 4, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Update: RadarOnline.com has obtained new information that Justice Roberts will NOT resign. The justice will be staying on the bench.
The asshats just wanted traffic.
Enoxo on March 4, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Radar retracts. Thank heavens
fourdeucer on March 4, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Whew, but this is a wake-up call. It could just have been true and we would all be vomiting. The balance of power is ever so delicate between freedom and tyranny. Switch one person and it all comes tumbling down.
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Story’s gone on Drudge.
WHOOPSIES!
Everyone resume your lives as normal. Some of you may need to take your beta blockers now :-D
Good Lt on March 4, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Salem owns radaronline.com. It is part of their new strategy to generate traffic at their conservative web-sites. ;-)
WashJeff on March 4, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Whew.
changer1701 on March 4, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Just seeing if everyone is paying attention I guess. Not funny.
Cindy Munford on March 4, 2010 at 1:35 PM
I am still liking that Bat Boy appointment.
WashJeff on March 4, 2010 at 1:36 PM
This is an easy ploy to pull off. Roberts has had a few seizures which fuels the health rumor mill, and he also has a wife and kids which widens the speculation pool.
I hope this is just a bad prank.
Laura in Maryland on March 4, 2010 at 1:36 PM
That works for Robert Byrd.
ChrisB on March 4, 2010 at 1:36 PM
President Obama: “No no no! I said ‘John Roberts needs to step OFF!’”
Chris_Balsz on March 4, 2010 at 1:36 PM
It’s retracted.
Sorry sweetie.
Good Lt on March 4, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Layers upon layers
WisCon on March 4, 2010 at 1:37 PM
I would also like to retract my original report that Zombie Reagan is the real father of John Edwards’ “love child”. Also, Michael Jackson’s doctor is not being appointed to the Supreme Court. My bad.
July 10 on March 4, 2010 at 1:37 PM
The idiots just wanted traffic.
Enoxo on March 4, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Wow, I actually smelled something foul right before your post came up! My laptop RULES!
bernzright777 on March 4, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Someone at RadarOnline said “Ok, watch this”.
My lakes are now half price, first come first served.
Bishop on March 4, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Nothing mentioned on the site!!
====================================
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/publicinfo/press/pressreleases.html
canopfor on March 4, 2010 at 1:37 PM
I just noticed a few more gray hairs when I looked in the mirror.
Mark1971 on March 4, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Well derrrrrr
Abby Adams on March 4, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Does Byrd even campaign or does he just throw platters of pork like a Pavlovian bell every time an election comes around.
andy85719 on March 4, 2010 at 1:38 PM
That was just you.
crr6 on March 4, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Radar Online: Bacon No Longer Delicious
JKahn913 on March 4, 2010 at 1:38 PM
This reminds me of when Johnny unplugged the lights in the movie Airplane. Whoopsie. These guys need to apply for jobs at MSNBC now.
kingsjester on March 4, 2010 at 1:39 PM
Dear Radar Online:
…………………./´¯/)
………………..,/¯../
………………./…./
…………./´¯/’…’/´¯¯`·¸
………./’/…/…./……./¨¯\
……..(‘(…´…´…. ¯~/’…’)
………\……………..’…../
……….”…\………. _.·´
…………\…………..(
…………..\………….\…
Sincerely,
Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
jp on March 4, 2010 at 1:39 PM
TMZ is reporting that Justice Scalia has stepped down and taken a job as a burger flipper in LA.
True story!
Good Lt on March 4, 2010 at 1:39 PM
This episode reminds us that no matter how bad things look they can always be worse.
Mark1971 on March 4, 2010 at 1:39 PM
FOR THE WIN!
Good Lt on March 4, 2010 at 1:40 PM
Radar just Rickrolled the blogopshere, to express their anger at having to watch Government Health Care die.
Emperor Norton on March 4, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Roberts should take a screen capture of his email inbox with all subject headers reading, “Dude?!” from his closest colleagues. Sell it on eBay signed and framed.
selias on March 4, 2010 at 1:41 PM
LOL and Obama’s lies are getting laaaaaaaaaaarger!
capejasmine on March 4, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Democrat Trial Balloon? Unnamed Source? Stinks to High Heaven?
A) Yes
B) No
C) All of the Above
PappaMac on March 4, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »