Spry Justices May Forestall Obama Court Makeover

One of the boons for the next president was thought to be the chance to appoint a justice or two to the Supreme Court. But though John Paul Stevens is 88 and Ruth Bader Ginsburg 75, neither has indicated an intention to retire. Ginsberg has twice demurred, saying Stevens, who is “going strong at age 88,” is a role model, writes Jan Crawford Greenburg for ABC.

“Justices can surprise,” Greenburg warns, suggesting that Barack Obama hold off on finding replacements. “It's best to be patient and hope for a second term,” she says. For now, Obama should expand the field of Supreme Court prospects among appeals courts. President Bush deftly filled those courts with conservatives now in line to move to higher court spots. (More Barack Obama stories.)