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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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Special Series

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.

Tuesday

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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Sunday

Saturday

'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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Friday

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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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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Wednesday

Tuesday

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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Sunday

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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Saturday

Former Clerks Remember O'Connor

Jennifer Ludden interviews two of Justice O'Connor's former clerks: Patricia Bellia, who clerked during the 1996-97 term, and Ronelle Anderson Jones, who completed her clerkship just one year ago.

Former Clerks Remember O'Connor

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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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Analysis

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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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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