Sandra Day O'Connor

Sandra Day O'Connor announces her retirement.

Initial nomination prediction: Alberto Gonzales.

Gonzales' Ace In The Hole: He's Hispanic and Republicans are "courting" the Hispanic vote.

More from SCOTUSblog.
Real Clear Politics has a list of potential nominees.
Bob Novak weighed in, as well as Bill Kristol.
Michelle Malkin bids farewell to Sandra Day.
Captain's Quarters reacts.

Ted Kennedy fired the first pre-emptive shot of the impending battle. "Democratic senators such as Sens. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut held a press conference and point to O'Connor's resignation as an opportunity for the president to choose consensus rather than confrontation."

Odd, considering Kennedy's remarks to stop any nominee who wants to roll back individual rights (a thinly veiled reference to abortion) sounds quite confrontational.

President Bush called for a "dignified process of confirmation". Are the Democrats up to the challenge -- nyah -- I don't think so.