I doubt John Paul Stevens will make it through Bush’s second term given his age, so the question has always been timing. There are good political arguments for announcing his retirement prior to the 2006 elections so that Democrats can try and take the Senate based on fear of losing another USSC seat (though, given Steven’s ultra liberal positions there is little chance Bush will not move the court rightward no matter who controls the Senate). So it is not surprising the rumors are flying again it seems [hat tip Viking Pundit]:

That is what is likely to happen with another rumor which absolutely has swept the Nation’s Capitol since the swearing-in of Justice Samuel J. Alito, Jr. as the 116th Associate Justice. That rumor is that President George W. Bush will have another vacancy on the Supreme Court when the term ends this coming June.

One Senator claims he has specific knowledge that the vacancy is coming. The speculation revolves around 85-year-old Associate Justice John Paul Stevens. Stevens, as the rumor is embellished, supposedly let it be known that he is impressed with the caliber of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., as well as with that of Associate Justice Alito. Stevens supposedly told the White House that even though he is a Rockefeller Republican (he was President Gerald R. Ford’s only Court appointee during the period when Nelson A. Rockefeller was Vice President) he believes the Court would not move radically to the right should he depart.

I for one would savour another comfirmation battle where the Democrats promise the world to their base and then leave them hanging.