Replacing Justice Stevens

45:16

April 12, 2010

In this Sept. 29, 2009, file photo Associate Justice John Paul Stevens sits for a new group photograph at the Supreme Court in Washington. Stevens, leader of Supreme Court's liberals, will retire this summer. (AP)

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens joined the court as a Republican centrist in 1975, the nominee of Republican president Gerald Ford. He will leave this summer, at age 90, as retiring leader of the high court’s liberal minority.

Justice Stevens says he’s still a conservative – that it’s the court that’s changed, moving sharply right.

Now, President Obama must nominate Stevens' successor – a big step in the long struggle over American life and law.

This Hour, On Point: the Supreme Court after John Paul Stevens. We’ll look at his legacy, and who comes next for the high court.Guests:

Jan Crawford, chief legal correspondent for CBS News and author of “Supreme Conflict: The Inside Story of the Struggle for the United States Supreme Court.”
Jeffrey Rosen, professor at the George Washington University Law School. His most recent book is "The Supreme Court: The Personalities and Rivalries that Defined America." Read his recent take on "POTUS v. SCOTUS," President Obama vs. Chief Justice Roberts.
John McGinnis, professor at Northwestern University School of Law and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

This program aired on April 12, 2010.