Photo Essay: John Paul Stevens

As I explained yesterday, if Bush is re-elected the fate of Roe v. Wade will depend on the health of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. If the pro-choice Stevens retires or (God forbid) dies, Bush will get to replace him with someone who probably won't be pro-choice. That will shift the fragile 5-4 Supreme Court majority in favor of those who oppose legalized abortion.

So I thought today would be a good time to investigate just how healthy Stevens really is. Can he make it through four more years of Bush? And perhaps beyond? You be the judge:


Wow, we're off to a great start. J.P. looks great in this picture -- except apparently we've got the wrong guy. Here's the real John Paul Stevens:


Not as good, right? But he does have a definite twinkle in his eye. His mind is sharp, which bodes well. Sorry, pro-lifers. And pro-choicers, you probably don't need to worry about voting. This guy will definitely make it to 2008, when the Republicans run...


Woops! I don't see a Democrat on the horizon who can beat John McCain, who like President Bush is pro-life. I also see McCain as a two-termer. So that means J.P. has to not retire or die until he's... let's see... 96 years old. That's asking a lot of the man, but hey -- he looks great! I'm sure he'll make it. Right?


Hmm.