Justice Ginsburg Recovering from Heart Surgery
COSTELLO: OK. More now on our breaking news. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is recovering at a Washington hospital this morning after having a stent placed in her heart. The 81-year-old justice had discomfort after exercising. Ginsburg should be released from the hospital within the next few days but, of course, this is concerning. Joining me on the phone, Jonathan Turley, he's a law professor at George Washington University and a constitutional scholar. Jonathan, good morning.</s>JONATHAN TURLEY, LAW PROFESSOR, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: Hi, Carol.</s>COSTELLO: You know, some have long been worried about Ruth Bader Ginsburg's health. Should we be overly concerned about this?</s>TURLEY: We're always concerned when a justice goes to the hospital for this type of serious problem. However, Justice Ginsburg has been asked repeatedly about her health and she has kept up a very busy schedule. There's no indication that she's physically unable to continue on the court. Many of us know people that have had this type of procedure and have become fully reengaged as lawyers or other professionals. So we're all hoping and praying that she's going to come out of this a healthier and stronger. She has repeatedly been asked, as you know, whether her age or health would prevent her to continuing on the court. There's a great concern because of her age, particularly among those who fear that President Obama would not be the one who would name a replacement. However, Justice Ginsburg has been quite clear that she is physically fully able to continue and despite the persistent question, this procedure on its face doesn't indicate that she's anything but able to continue and all of us are hoping that she's going to do well in these procedures to rejoin the court.</s>COSTELLO: I know she's long said, you know, I'm not going to retire and she appears to be very active. This happened after she was exercising, she's appeared on stage, she's very active in speaking engagements and that kind of thing, right?</s>TURLEY: Oh, yes. And if you meet her, and I've had the great pleasure of meeting her, she's very vibrant and there's no indication at all that she has slowed down intellectually or physically. Part of the concern that arises, as you know, Carol, is that she is an iconic figure on the court. She is viewed by many as the representative of the left of the court. Her opinions are quite good. Even though I've disagreed with some of them, I agree with many of them. They're always very, very well written, well researched and persuasive. So the quality of her work hasn't diminished in the slightest. And as you know, she has not slowed down at all. She speaks around the country, she loves to engage students, and she clearly loves to be on the court.</s>COSTELLO: She does. We're all -- our best to her and, Jonathan Turley, thanks for your insight. I appreciate it. Thank you for joining me today. Thanks, Jonathan. I'm Carol Costello. "@THIS HOUR" with Berman and Michaela starts now.