5/1 Roundup: Souter's Scooting, Surgical Bankruptcy, Shirking Bo Duties

Leader: Souter's Scooting

- Supreme Court Associate Justice David Souter is planning to retire at the end of this term, according to a "government official" who passed word along to NPR.  Unlike the other eight justices, Souter has not yet hired clerks for the fall, suggesting that he would be fulfilling his oft-stated desire to return to his cabin in the woods of New Hampshire, rather than stay in Washington-- a city for which he has no affection.

- President Obama will have the job of filling the open seat, and Souter has suggested he might stay around until his successor is confirmed. The most likely choices for replacing Souter are Sonia Sotomayor of New York, Diane P. Wood of Chicago, and Elena Kagan, the new Solicitor General.  VP Joe Biden has been tasked with pulling together a list of possible candidates.

Politics

- Simon made the case for immigration reform on Huffington Post yesterday, with an essay that held the top spot on the site for most of the day.  In "Making the Case: 7 Reasons Why Congress Should Pass Immigration Reform This Year," he does exactly that.

- Noam Scheiber of TNR points out the deep divides between banks and hedge funds, particularly in the policies they're fighting for in Washington.

Economy

- Chrysler will undergo a "surgical bankruptcy" process, that will leave the United Auto Workers with a controlling stake in the company, with Fiat and the US Government as junior partners.

- Michael Moynihan published a new essay yesterday arguing that the Obama Administration must prevent GM from falling to the same fate. Simon challenged the government to take a hard look at failing American brands, and to find what is most valuable, and still profitable about them.

International

- The Swine Flu continues to spread, with 247 confirmed cases worldwide. Three hundred schools have been closed in the US, but Mexico remains the epicenter of the disease. The NY Times reports on why the disease has been more deadly in Mexico.  

- A right-wing talk-show host in Boston tried to blame Mexican immigrants for the spread of the disease to the US.  He's been canned.  Michelle Bachmann tried to blame Democrats for the flu.  Can we fire her, too?

New From NDN

- Morley winograd and Mike Hais wonder if the Specter party switch was inevitable.  They project that this will not be the last party switch we see in the coming years.

One More Thing

- Malia and Sasha have been shirking Bo-walking duty.  Is this more disturbing than Swine Flu?  Yes. Yes, it is.

- Last, Simon offered some thoughts yesterday on President Obama's first 100 days in office: