Sunday Talk

Obviously the death of CJ Rehnquist has shaken up the talk show schedules to some degree; "This Week" took the first few minutes and interviewed Senators Hatch and Schumer. Hatch said he thought there wasn't any need to delay the Roberts confirmation hearings, arguing "We need to proceed." Yet another reason to be thankful that Senator Specter's now chairing the Judiciary Committee.

Schumer said that he didn't think there was any reason not to "take time to catch our breath ... take a few days our to mourn Judge Rehnquist." Schumer then gave voice to the suggestion I made in the prior post, suggesting that Bush nominate Justice O'Connor as chief justice for the time being. Hatch responded by saying he wouldn't venture to suggest anything to the president, but when Steph pointed out that Hatch has touted for the past decade the fact that he "suggested" President Clinton nominate Breyer and Ginsburg, the Utahan gave in and said that he thought Bush should "probably move ahead and make the choices that need to be made." Asked point blank if O'Connor should be named CJ, Hatch said "I don't think so."

Chertoff got bumped from "TW," but the helicopter tour with Landrieu went on as planned. She was tearful, angry at the federal response, and very critical of Bush "photo ops" in the face of continued devastation in New Orleans.

I'll have more soon as the other shows start here, but will just mention that Judge Roberts has come out and made a very classy statement to mourn the death of Justice Rehnquist, who was his mentor and friend. I'll post a clip or transcript once I find one.

- On "Fox News Sunday," Senator Cornyn suggests that he thinks the Roberts hearings should go ahead on Tuesday. Dodd agrees, says "beginning the process makes some sense." He also suggests that Bush should ask O'Connor should stay on for at least a short period. Cornyn says "we can do this," "go ahead with the Roberts hearings as scheduled."

- While I was watching the networks (whoops) Bush spoke about the death of CJ Rehnquist, calling him "a man of character" according to CNN. Bush apparently said he'll soon choose "a highly qualified" replacement.

- More on this from AP: "It will serve the best interest of the nation to fill those vacancies promptly. ... I will choose in a timely manner a highly qualified nominee to succeed Chief Justice Rehnquist. ... As we look to the future of the Supreme Court, citizens of this nation can also look with pride and appreciation on the career of our late chief justice." -- 10:35 a.m.

- As reports indicated, Tim Russert gives DHS Secretary Mike Chertoff some serious grief about the response of the federal government to Hurrican Katrina. Chertoff continues the ridiculous line that the "second catastrophe" (by which he means the levee breaking) "caught everybody by surprise." Russert presses him strongly on this and on his statements that food and supplies were "pre-staged" in New Orleans (clearly ineffectively). Getting other notes that Schieffer asks Chertoff about the "total failure" of the response (they're on at the same time so I'm missing FTN). I have a feeling this is only the beginning of the unpleasant questions this Administration's going to have to face. -- 10:49 a.m.

- President's full statement on Rehnquist here. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt says the death toll from Katrina is now "in the thousands." Not surprising, but still horrifying. -- 11:01 a.m.