ADVISE FOR THE NOMINEE FOR O'CONNOR SEAT

I did not by any means support his nomination to the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but my third cousin has some good advice for anyone being nominated for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's place on the United States Supreme Court.

Former federal judge Charles Pickering, now retired, told his Mississippi hometown area newspaper the Hattiesburg American that potential nominees should "...have a thick skin...Be prepared to hang in there."

And he should know. Pickering served temporairly on the appeals court on a recess appointment by President Bush, but retired last December when it was clear that the Senate would not confirm his nomination. Democrats opposed his strong religious convictions (he is Southern Baptist and former president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention) and questioned a sentencing decision in the case of an convicted cross-burner.

Pickering, whose son Chip represents Mississippi's Third District in Congress, told the American that he believes Bush will nominate a younger jurist between 45 and 60 years of age to allow for someone to serve longer on the High Court.