More updates from Erik and Redstate. I am holding by my prediction that Rhenquist is waiting on Stevens final decision before he announces, and that Rehnquist would announce last.

Three-quarters of Washington says the Stevens rumor is garbage. The other quarter is right.

I firmly reside in the ‘other quarter’.

I think there will be 3 vacancies this summer and it looks like the democrats know they cannot do anything to stop Bush selecting who he wishes without a heavy political price in 2006. A price democrats cannot afford to pay.

Senator Reid has, in private, conceded that the Democrats are going to lose this fight, but they intend to (A) fight like hell to save face with their base and (B) work out the best possible solution with the White House on who the nominee will be. In other words, the Dems want to make sure the conservative who is appointed is reasonable, but they intend to also clean the floor with him to show the base they aren’t kids getting spanked by the Republicans, though that is what is happening.

Did it ever occur to the democrats that maybe if they showed some respect and statesman-like qualities they could begin to attract independent voters? Did it ever occur to them playing to their rabid, crazed base is exactly why the democrats are rapildy shrinking down to a 25% part?