Rehnquist was to the right of center but managed the Supreme Court with balance and fairness. Justices Souter and Kennedy were also right of center but ultimately rendered very left of center opinions. Cries of "we're screwed" and "here come the right wing radicals" are superficial at best.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
More the timing than anything else, along with a dose of "we knew it was coming but still hadn't completely braced ourselves".