John Paul Stevens announced his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court. Part of me is sad to see the High Court's most liberal member go. The Gerald Ford-appointee's presence on the bench was a 35-year reminder not to place trust in Republicans. Why can't Democrats blunder so monumentally in their judicial nominations? The retirements of Republican appointees Sandra Day O'Connor and David Souter have eroded the visceral sense of an opportunity lost in that 1969-1993 era of Republican presidents. November victories at the ballot box somehow translated into June defeats at the courthouse for conservatives. You can trust Democrats to do the wrong thing. Just don't trust Republicans to do the right thing.

Glad that liberal is gone, but hope that he's not replaced with someone MORE liberal.