In memory of Chief Justice Rehnquist

It is truly sad that our nation lost one of the most influential chief justices in the Supreme Court's history.

From his early days as a frequent lone dissenter in decisions promoting judicial overreach, he gradually became the leader of a court that cooled its affection for substituting doctrine for the constitution. On many occasions, Chief Justice Rehnquist fought the good fight but lost to the less principled.

Although noone could call his court conservative, Rehnquist was in a position to support the growing conservative movement of the past quarter century. The president should honor him by appointing another constructionist who recognizes the importance of federalism.