William H. Rehnquist is by nature quiet and humble. His legacy is that he has shown us how to disagree with civility.

Surprisingly, in over two centuries of Supreme Court precedent, the issue has never been squarely presented and resolved -- until now.

He's actually demonstrated that he's grown comfortable with the public interaction in a way that wasn't entirely true when he had his own confirmation hearings, where he appeared tentative.

It is a Reagan personnel officer's dream come true. It is a graduation. These individuals have been in study and preparation for these roles all their professional lives.

You would have to show that your vote is diluted by recounting. That seems unlikely given all the recounting there has been in the past

I think what happens in this process is there is an initial search and so much work is required to satisfy the competing constituencies that once a list is assembled, few people want to give it up. Some of the names on the list are almost venerable by virtue of age and longevity. There is a certain comfort in going with what you know, but it may not be the best.