Rehnquist to stay on Court

US Supreme Court Chief Justice told reporters that he would “continue to perform my duties as chief justice as long as my health permits" ending speculation of his imminent retirement.

The announcement may have made the WH’s job of selecting a replacement for retiring justice Sandra Day O’Connor more difficult. The Bush administration will have to make a decision between nominating a strong conservative who will appeal to the party’s base or a more moderate candidate more in the model of O’Conner who will more easily win confirmation by the US Senate.