Antonin Scalia to Replace Justice Stevens

With the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens, Antonin Scalia becomes Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. As Senior Associate, Scalia will assign writing assignments for opinions where the Chief Justice is in the minority. Justice Stevens was legendary for his effective use of that position since he succeeded Harry Blackmun in the early 90's.

Scalia's ascendance to the position probably won't have much effect since he is rarely out of agreement with the Chief Justice John Roberts. Nonetheless, John Paul Stevens' retirement is a loss to the progressive and truly conservative values that he so effectively championed. No newly appointed justice can fill that gap.