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Scalia Says He Didn't Expect to be Named Chief Justice

By Last Night in Little Rock, Section Supreme Court
Posted on Mon Oct 10, 2005 at 10:00:42 AM EST
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by Last Night in Little Rock

Justice Antonin Scalia, in NYC today as Grand Marshal of the Columbus Day parade, said yesterday that he did not expect to be named Chief Justice, although the President had bandied his name around as a role model for a Chief Justice. He also said that it would be an honor to be named, but it would have taken too much of his time.

"I'm not even sure I wanted it, to tell you the truth," Scalia told reporters at a media briefing before a gala dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan.

Bush, who had in the past mentioned Scalia as one role model for an ideal chief justice, passed on Scalia and nominated John Roberts after Rehnquist's death.

Scalia said the time he would have had to devote to administering the court as chief justice would have taken away from his thinking and writing. However, he said, "The honor would have been wonderful."

Asked if he knew why he wasn't nominated, Scalia said the reason "is locked in the heart of the president."

A lot of people, including yours truly, expected Scalia to be nominated to replace Rehnquist, if only because confirmation would have occurred in a matter of days. As it happened, Roberts was already there as O'Connor's replacement, and it was easy for the President to slip him in in her place since she'd agreed to stay on until a successor was confirmed.

Another thing that is not obvious except to court watchers: Scalia was willingly interviewed by the press. That is unusual for him.

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    Scalia Says He Didn't Expect to be Named Chief Justice | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: Scalia Says He Didn't Expect to be Named Chief (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:51 PM EST
    The real story is that he was pretty ticked off of course.

    Re: Scalia Says He Didn't Expect to be Named Chief (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:51 PM EST
    He probably thought going hunting with porkchop boy was a good thing...

    Re: Scalia Says He Didn't Expect to be Named Chief (none / 0) (#3)
    by Lis Riba on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:51 PM EST
    In further news, Scalia was also quoted as saying those grapes were probably sour, too.

    Re: Scalia Says He Didn't Expect to be Named Chief (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:52 PM EST
    Would Scalia had to have been confirmed by the Senate for the promotion? That would have been interesting. I would have loved to have heard them question him about his relationship with Cheney.

    Re: Scalia Says He Didn't Expect to be Named Chief (none / 0) (#5)
    by cpinva on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:52 PM EST
    bear in mind: bush has been a lame duck since nov. 04, so he doesn't really have to give a rat's patoot what anyone does or doesn't think. it's the republicans in the senate that have to worry about being re-elected. any of them been talking to god lately?

    Scalia Says He Didn't Expect to be Named Chief Justice | 5 comments (5 topical)