When Antonin Scalia was nominated to the Supreme Court, his confirmation hearing was so dull that one Democrat cajoled: "Let yourself go. It's pretty boring so far." Scalia resisted that invitation nearly 20 years ago, but he's been sound and fury ever since.
Though widely regarded as a leading intellectual on the court and often described as a gentleman, Scalia also is the most provocative, and sometimes petulant, justice. He has mockingly read aloud the opinions of fellow justices. He's penned sneering dissents that excoriate colleagues for "feeble" lines of argument. He's badgered quaking lawyers.
After two decades, his outspoken approach sometimes is regarded almost as old hat. But it is getting a closer look amid speculation that Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who has cancer, soon may step down from the bench and create an opening that could allow President Bush to shift another justice to the court's most powerful seat.
Details here from the AP via LexisONE.com.