Rehnquist on AA

Here's a good story passed on by a classmate, suggesting that despite all evidence to the contrary, Rehnquist apparently has a sense of humor:

[Virginia Law] Dean Jeffries was at the Annual U.Va. Law Washington Alumni Lunch yesterday, and he stopped to talk to us for a few minutes. Apparently, the Law School had not one, but two candidates that Rehnquist was considering as finalists for his clerk position next year. So, Jeffries put in a good word to the Chief on their behalf while he was up here. One of the two was eventually selected, but Dean Jeffries said that he kept insisting to Rehnquist that they both were equally impressive candidates and he might consider taking both of them. Rehnquist responded with a grin and said, "Oh, I think they are both very qualified, but I should only take one from Virginia. You know, in the interest of diversity."

Incidentally, I think he took one and the other is going to clerk with Justice Stevens (if he survives Robertson's prayer offensive).