ACCOUNTABILITY CORNER

Last week, Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist swatted away rumors of his retirement. We convict these aspiring pundits of poor judgment.

-- Brendan Buhler and Michael Soller

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“I suspect that the chief justice will step down by next summer.”

-- Political scientist Sheldon Goldman in November 2002

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“William Rehnquist will retire soon.”

-- Kate Michelman, former NARAL Pro-Choice America president, in November 2003

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“The time of retiring is going to be as soon as the president is back in the country, as soon as Air Force One lands in the country, which I guess is about 10 minutes till 5 Eastern time today.”

-- columnist Robert

Novak on CNN,

July 8

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“I suspect Bob is right. He’s very plugged into this.”

-- CNN political analyst James Carville

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“Report: Rehnquist Retires; To Be Announced Tonight”

-- headline in the Drudge Report,

July 8

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“He is most likely to retire, and the stars are aligned right for it.”

-- Roger Pilon of the libertarian

Cato Institute in January 2003