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O'Connor Taking Swing Vote Into Retirement Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman named to the U.S. Supreme Court when President Ronald Reagan nominated her in 1981 to fill the seat vacated by Justice Potter Stewart. She has often been the deciding vote on a divided court in recent years.
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O'Connor Taking Swing Vote Into Retirement

Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman named to the U.S. Supreme Court, leaves after 24 years.

Supreme Court in Transition

Nina Totenberg discusses how the Supreme Court will function as Sandra Day O'Connor prepares to step down. She also examines the history of the presidential-Senate relationship when it comes to high court vacancies.

Supreme Court in Transition

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'Original Meaning' and the Next Supreme Court Justice

Stanford University history professor Jack Raykove explains what people mean when they refer to the "original meaning" of the Constitution's framers. Senate Judiciary Committee members are divided on whether President Bush's Supreme Court nominee should represent a judicial philosophy based on what drafters of the Constitution had in mind in 1787.

'Original Meaning' and the Next Supreme Court Justice

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Democrats Prepare to Vet a Supreme Hopeful

When President Bush names a successor to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, it will likely spark a contentious hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee. Based on previous appellate judge battles, Democrats are preparing questions for O'Connor's successor.

Democrats Prepare to Vet a Supreme Hopeful

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A Look at the Short List to Fill O'Connor Vacancy

After Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her plans to retire, many legal experts began predicting who President Bush might choose to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. Legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg reports on the names some expected to see on President Bush's list.

A Look at the Short List to Fill O'Connor Vacancy

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Opinion

O'Connor's Departure Will Move Court to Right

In the second of two different perspectives, commentator Mark Tushnet offers his thoughts on the tenure of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Tushnet argues that O'Connor was the centrist on this Court, and now the center will shift to the right.

O'Connor's Departure Will Move Court to Right

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High Court Advocacy Groups Gear for Fight

Political interest groups who will be affected by the selection of a new Supreme Court justice have already sprung into action. Activists want to make sure people know what's at stake in the decision of who should succeed Sandra Day O'Connor.

High Court Advocacy Groups Gear for Fight

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Abortion Fight Awaits Shifting Supreme Court

Abortion remains one of the most contentious issues surrounding the replacement of Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Immediately after the justice announced her resignation, both sides started gearing up for the battle ahead. Julie Rovner reports.

Abortion Fight Awaits Shifting Supreme Court

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O'Connor's Departure Comes as Surprise

The Bush admininstration may not rush to name a replacement for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who announced Friday she will retire from the Supreme Court. Many observers had expected Chief Justice William Rehnquist to bow out. He hasn't.

O'Connor's Departure Comes as Surprise

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Senate Awaits Bush High Court Nominee

The person President Bush nominates to succeed Justice O'Connor must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Democrats warn there could be a major battle if they find that nominee objectionable. Senators on both sides of the aisle are calling for harmony, but girding for a showdown.

Senate Awaits Bush High Court Nominee

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O'Connor and Conservatives

Weekly Standard editor William Kristol and Andrew McBride, partner of the law firm Wiley Rein & Fielding, discuss Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's brand of conservatism, and who conservatives hope will follow her to the high court. McBride clerked for the retiring justice in the late 1980s.

O'Connor and Conservatives

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Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Retires

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor resigns from the Supreme Court after 24 years of service. Appointed in 1981 by President Reagan, she was the first woman ever to serve as a justice. Experts predict O'Connor's role as the swing vote in many decisions will intensify the debate over her replacement.

Hear Nina Totenberg's Report

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Opinion

Evaluating O'Connor's Two Decades on the Court

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has resigned after more than two decades on the nine-member high court. Madeleine Brand speaks with Slate legal analyst Emily Bazelon and with Jeffrey Rosen, legal affairs editor at the New Republic magazine, about O'Connor's career and legacy.

Evaluating O'Connor's Two Decades on the Court

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Sandra Day O'Connor's Supreme Legacy

Sandra Day O'Connor is sworn in as an Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court by Chief Justice Warren Burger in 1981. O'Connor served for more than 20 years on the Supreme Court. Michael Evans/Associated Press hide caption

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Michael Evans/Associated Press

Sandra Day O'Connor's Supreme Legacy

Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States, talks with NPR's Nina Totenberg about her new memoir and her long road to the nation's highest court.

Sandra Day O'Connor's Supreme Legacy

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Washington Reacts to O'Connor Resignation

President Bush offered his thoughts Friday about the resignation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Madeleine Brand speaks with Don Gonyea about the president's remarks and other reaction to the resignation from around the Capitol.

Washington Reacts to O'Connor Resignation

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Opinion

The Politics of Supreme Court Succession

The nomination of a new U.S. Supreme Court justice to replace the retiring Sandra Day O'Connor is perhaps the most anticipated political fight of the year. American law affecting abortion, affirmative action, the death penalty and other issues could turn on the new nominee. Madeleine Brand discusses the politics of Supreme Court succession with NPR senior correspondent Juan Williams.

The Politics of Supreme Court Succession

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