Chief Justice Rehnquist dead at age 80.

Chief Justice William Rehnquist lost his battle with thyroid cancer today and died this evening.

 Appointed to the Supreme court in 1971 by then President Nixon, and elevated to Chief Justice in 1986, Rehnquist over saw the transformation of the court during a 33 year career, which toward the end, even his ideological opponents came to concede his management and stewardship of the court during his time as Chief Justice was exemplary.

His death will create a significant vacancy to be filled by an appointment from President Bush, and comes at a time just as the Senate is to commence hearings on John Roberts nomination to fill Sandra Day O'Connor's vacancy.