The New York Times gathers a bunch of legal luminaries to reflect on Justice Souter's career and legacy. The Washington Post collects a different set of legal eagles to give their thoughts on who Obama should nominate. There is a surprisingly strong consensus against nominating an appellate court judge (a sentiment I really do not share, to be honest).
Oh, and Ed Whelan urges the nomination of 2nd Circuit Judge Jose Cabranes, because he's a member of the "once-dominant species of liberal proponents of judicial restraint." Certainly not because he's 69 years old and will likely have a short tenure on the court before he can (fingers crossed) be replaced by a Republican.
Showing posts with label David Souter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Souter. Show all posts
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Friday, May 01, 2009
Whose Seat?
Apropos Mark Halperin's worry that White men don't have sufficient representation on the Supreme Court (currently they hold 7 of 9) seats, I wonder if conservatives will be as concerned about insuring that Justice Souter's seat doesn't become an effective "White man's seat" as they were about the horrifying prospect (thankfully averted) that Justice O'Connor would be replaced by another woman.
UPDATE: I forgot how conservatives can easily dodge out of this problem: Just nominate the most qualified person! Which obviously means a White guy. 96% of all Supreme Court Justices and counting, so you know you can rely on White Guy(tm) experience!
UPDATE: I forgot how conservatives can easily dodge out of this problem: Just nominate the most qualified person! Which obviously means a White guy. 96% of all Supreme Court Justices and counting, so you know you can rely on White Guy(tm) experience!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Souter's Out?
The word is that Justice David Souter plans to retire. Let the speculation on his replacement begin!
Back in the day, I put my money down on 2nd Circuit Judge Sonia Sotomayor as Obama's first nominee. That was assuming that he'd face a intransigent Republican minority that he'd have to appease -- otherwise, I think Obama would be far more likely to nominate a more aggressively liberal lion to the bench. So, is that the situation right now? On the one hand, the Republican minority has been pretty incorrigible as of late. On the other hand, that might just show that compromise is useless. And in any event, the Senate is about to find itself with a 60 vote Democratic super-majority. But will it hold strong? I'd like to think that Harry Reid can keep his caucus in line at least for cloture motions, but never underestimate the Democratic Party's lack of a spine.
UPDATE: One thing I have been wondering about is who the first Republican will be to characterize Souter as a "moderate conservative" and demand his replacement be in the same mold? After a decade and a half of flaming him as essentially Benedict Arnold mixed with Che Guevera, I can't wait.
Back in the day, I put my money down on 2nd Circuit Judge Sonia Sotomayor as Obama's first nominee. That was assuming that he'd face a intransigent Republican minority that he'd have to appease -- otherwise, I think Obama would be far more likely to nominate a more aggressively liberal lion to the bench. So, is that the situation right now? On the one hand, the Republican minority has been pretty incorrigible as of late. On the other hand, that might just show that compromise is useless. And in any event, the Senate is about to find itself with a 60 vote Democratic super-majority. But will it hold strong? I'd like to think that Harry Reid can keep his caucus in line at least for cloture motions, but never underestimate the Democratic Party's lack of a spine.
UPDATE: One thing I have been wondering about is who the first Republican will be to characterize Souter as a "moderate conservative" and demand his replacement be in the same mold? After a decade and a half of flaming him as essentially Benedict Arnold mixed with Che Guevera, I can't wait.
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