I'm not sure I understand or agree with SSM&P and USAPA's tactics in filing a Stay request to the 9th Circuit. Let me list why:
1. USAPA, via Granneth in oral argument, admitted that negotiations were slow going and highly unlikely to be resolved anywhere near December;
2. Filing requests such as this, that is extremely likely to be denied, likely won't endear them to the panel that eventually is assigned to the case;
3. USAPA has cited monetary issues in both the trial ourt and the Court of Appeals, yet continues to file as much paper as possible in all courts, EXCEPT to do discovery in the damages phase in the trial court; and,
4. Why do you want to give the Court of Appeals any extra chances to dislike you when it is already clear from the trial court that it disliked you. All you are doing is providing evidence to the Court of Appeals that the observation of the trial court was based in fact.
Have at it...
5 justices liked Ted Olsen and what his clients case was about and viewed the law one way, 4 justices liked David Boies and what he argued for his client in the case and split a decision 5-4. It was a case that had everything to do with political bias and how it colored each judges interpretation of the law. To assume that the politics of Judge Wake and the 9th Circuit are the same would be foolish. They could rule either way and predicting who they are predisposed to liking, their politics, and how it might affect their ruling has merit based on Bush V. Gore but assuming which side their political bias endears them to at this point would be foolish. There will be an Amicus Curiae brief with several signatories and politics and a broad or narrow interpretation of the law governing union behavior and rights will be under review.