O'Connor Retirement Raises Stakes on Hot-Button Issues

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor hated being called the Court's swing vote and never thought being the Court's first woman made much difference. But with her stunning retirement announcement, both her status as a swing vote and as the Court's first woman take on enormous importance in the battle apt to follow any word of her replacement. More than the retirement of any other justice, O'Connor's departure puts hot-button issues in play, raising already high stakes to a historic level

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