Drudge's headline, right now, under a picture of Rehnquist:

DID HE SEND A LETTER?

Oh, what if he didn't?...

What if O'Connor didn't?...

What if they stay on and on and on and on, not obliging the wishes of the right wingers?...

What if W goes eight years and never appoints a Supreme Court justice?...

What if they wait a year and a half and W has to contend with a Democratic Senate?...

What if they all wait 'till Hillary is elected?...

Aw, the poor darlings. They had their hopes up so far.

Actually, I suspect W will appoint a Supreme Court justice or two before the end of our sentence...er...his term. But

1) Supreme Court justices don't like to be predictable about when they retire. And Rehnquist loves his job.

2) I don't care how reliably conservative he thinks the person is he finds, justices frequently disappoint their nominating Presidents.

3) Maybe these justices are just scared to let W appoint their replacement.

4) Maybe they're ticked off with the recent war on judges waged by the Republicans.

So, simmer, marinate and stew, right-wingers. Appointing justices is a gift, not an entitlement.

(I also don't think it's out of the realm of possibility Rehnquist will announce his departure as early as this afternoon. But I hope he doesn't.)