Bush faces heated battle to choose a chief justice

[emad]

Times
From Tim Reid in Washington



ONLY days after calling for post-election unity, President Bush returned to work yesterday facing fierce divisions within his party, and the country, over his imminent choice of a new US chief justice.

Mr Bush had to confront the reality that one of the first big decisions of his new term — choosing a new head of the Supreme Court —has triggered partisan warfare between his conservative base and most Democrats, and an ideological battle within his own party.

The appointment of Supreme Court justices is one of the most divisive subjects for Democrats and Republicans.

The decision has become pressing for Mr Bush because William Rehnquist, the conservative Chief Justice, is ill with thyroid cancer. Mr Bush is likely to have to nominate a replacement, possibly before the end of the year, opening up the prospect of a bitterly contested Senate confirmation hearing.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1350870,00.html

NEVER MIND a Chief Justice, it is now five whole months since Junior had any diplomatic representation in London, after FARISH was ignominously kicked out of the official ambassadorial residency in Regent's Park and turned tail for home before the July 4th celebrations.......

MAYBE that's something on Poodle's agenda later this week in DC?????????