There are no real blockbuster cases on the docket so far. But there are a number of unusual cases out there, issues the justices want to revisit.

There are a number of legal issues. No. 1, two different cases were consolidated, and we didn't think they proved their case on the murder charge.

The No. 1 thing is that this is the entire court - especially O'Connor - again trying to turn down the temperature on the issue and force both sides toward the middle. This is the court saying: We don't want to give either side all or nothing. We're going to force you to split the loaf.

A committed conservative with interpersonal skills equal to or superior to Rehnquist's would be a far more effective chief justice than a nominee of equal intellect who lacks those graces.

The court will be in an extremely unsettled and uncertain situation until Justice O'Connor's successor is confirmed and seated. No one — including the justices themselves — will know for sure whether the nine justices who hear a case will be the same nine who will decide it.

The court will be in an extremely unsettled and uncertain situation until Justice O'Connor's successor is confirmed and seated, ... No one -- including the justices themselves -- will know for sure whether the nine justices who hear a case will be the same nine who will decide it.