Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

The numbers represent the ages of John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Souter, and Stephen Breyer; the Supreme Court's four liberal judges.

Since the Court's left-leaning judges are older than the Court's conservative bloc, the result of the upcoming presidential election may well determine whether the Court's current balance is preserved, or shifts even further to the right.

Stevens, who celebrated his 88th birthday last month, has been surrounded by retirement rumors for several years. In all likelihood, the next president will appoint Stevens' replacement to the Court.

If a Democrat wins the presidency, we may see even more turnover among the Court's liberal wing. Bader Ginsburg, who will be 79 at the end of the next president's first term, may take advantage of the opportunity to retire with the comfort of knowing she will have a liberal successor.