I often disagree with his conclusions; more importantly, his view of how legal interpretation ought to be done is not mine, which is why we often come to different conclusions. Nevertheless, Souter gets high marks from me for his services to those of us who read the court’s output trying to understand what it’s done, why, and where it’s going with this. He is one of the most consistently clear and effective writers on the court; even Scalia has off days (his opinion in the FCC case this week, for example), but Souter almost invariably turns out opinions that clearly and concisely convey what he’s saying and why. There are innumerable cases – even cases like Alden, where I think Souter had it wrong – where it was Souter’s opinion that snapped the issues into focus in my mind. He was an incisive questioner at oral argument, and I will miss the clarity he frequently brought to the court’s output.

Lastly, I must suggest Diane Wood or Kathleen Sullivan as successors. Two legal liberals who match Obama’s general theme without being crazies. I’d prefer he pick Sullivan between the two, but will confess that’s self-interest: I like having her here on the Seventh Circuit and I don’t want him replacing her!

I will miss Souter……it’s starting to sound like the Obama administration (providing it serves 8 years) will have the potential to appoint 5 justices to the Supreme Court – are any of the “bad” one’s on deck to retire I wonder?

Nice article by the way . I prefer the The Whitehall hotel – it’s within staggering distance after several Blue Label’s at Hugo’s Frog bar (the Sea food is excellent too) – and any kind of barbecue at the Twin Anchors on Sedgwick. Although I agree with most of the article you forgot to mention that the Spring and Fall aren’t to be missed since the weather is excellent and most of the tourists have gone home.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/northamerica/usa/5077407/Chicago-USA-My-Kind-of-Town.html

Sorry. Plugola. Go about your business.