A busy news weekend as Bernard Kerick withdraws his name from consideration for the Homeland Security post and, amid growing controversy, the University of Notre Dame hires a new football coach.
+For NY Police Commissioner Bernard Kerick withdrew his name late Friday from further consideration for the Secretary of Homeland Security nomination. Kerick withdrew his name after reports that Kerick did not pay taxes for a nanny in his employ. The nanny was also discovered to be an illegal alien.
Democrats say that the White House moved too quickly to fill the vacancy left by Tom Ridge. Ridge has said he would stay in the position until a successor is confirmed by the Senate.
In a related story, former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani has apologized to the White House and President Bush for pushing Kerick's name for nomination. The former mayor hops this will not sour relations between himself and the White House. What he really hops is that the White House will support Giuliani's bid for the presidency in 2008.
My Way News
The New York Times > National > The Mayor: Strain Is Seen in Giuliani Ties With President
+On Friday the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case on file-sharing. More specifically, if a company that offers file sharing can be held liable for the actions of its members.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (the most overturned Court in the country) held in August that companies cannot be held liable.
By hearing arguments the Supreme Court is likely to overturn the 9th circuit in favor of the record and movie industry.
The New York Times > National > The Mayor: Strain Is Seen in Giuliani Ties With President
+The rumor mill is full steam in Washington this morning. Rumors are flying that a Supreme Court Justice will retire today or by the end of the week.
It has been rumored that 3 or 4 justices would retire sometime during a Bush second term. If the current speculation is true, this will begin a long, hard fight in the Senate over any nominee. It is likely that Harry Reid (D-NV) will continue the obstructionist policies of Tom Daschle on judicial nominees. So any quick resolution to a Supreme Court nominee is unlikely.
Current speculation is that Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist will retire due to illness. The 80 year jurist is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer has not been seen at the Court in recent weeks. He continues to work from his Virginia home and is participating in opinions.
If Rehnquist retires it is likely that Antonin Scalia or Clarence Thomas will be elevated to the Chief Justice position. Harry Reid (D-NV) democrat leader in the Senate is already on record against the nomination of Justice Thomas.
Supreme Court Retirement Coming on Monday? -- 12/13/2004
+Although he conceded the election, a lawyer for Senator John Kerry now wants to review the voting in Ohio.
The November vote in the Buckeye state was certified last Monday by Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell. The Libertarian and Green parties have requested a recount and have raised the funds to pay for it. The recount will not be finished by today when Ohio Electors cast their votes in the Electoral College.
Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson is calling for a full Congressional investigation. That is unlikely to happen.
My Way News
More later.
No comments:
Post a Comment