Supreme Court Nominations

Forget Empathy. Obama Wants Court Pick Who Understands ‘Ordinary Americans’

Last year, President Obama insisted that he wanted a U.S. Supreme Court nominee with empathy. This year, he wants someone who respects “the voices of ordinary Americans.” Obama apparently gave up the “empathy” goal after the word became “radioactive,” the New York Times reports. Critics thought empathy meant putting aside…

Apr 26, 2010 1:39 PM CDT

Granholm Among Those Who Support a Court Pick Outside ‘Judicial Monastery’

The growing number of observers supporting a U.S. Supreme Court nominee from outside the “judicial monastery” includes a politician who fills that bill: Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. The Harvard Law School grad told CNN’s State of the Union that it’s a wise move to consider someone who isn’t a judge,…

Apr 26, 2010 1:05 PM CDT

A Garland Pick for High Court Could Spur Liberal Opposition

Conservative groups are already digging in to fight potential nominees to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. But liberal-leaning groups may end up doing the same if President Obama picks U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Merrick B. Garland to succeed Stevens. The Washington Post reports that “a small but vocal…

Apr 23, 2010 2:38 PM CDT

Meet Janet Napolitano, a Mountain-Climbing, Peeps-Loving Ex-Prosecutor

Many TV viewers know Janet Napolitano for her gaffe as she spoke about the would-be underwear bomber who was tackled on a Christmas Day flight. In two interviews, the Homeland Security secretary said authorities had things under control after the bomb failed to detonate. But in the third, she shortened…

Apr 22, 2010 1:41 PM CDT

Meet Judge Diane Wood, a ‘Philosophical Outlier’ on the 7th Circuit

The left-leaning Judge Diane Wood plays the role of “philosophical outlier” on the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but she has maintained a friendly relationship off the bench with two of the court’s star conservatives, according to a newspaper profile of the potential U.S. Supreme Court nominee. Wood…

Apr 22, 2010 12:57 PM CDT

Another 7th Circuit Judge Is on Obama’s Short List

Another judge from the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is on the so-called short list of potential nominees to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. She’s Ann Claire Williams, an African-American who was nominated to the federal trial bench by President Reagan and elevated to the 7th Circuit…

Apr 22, 2010 11:38 AM CDT

Obama Begins Talks with Possible Supreme Court Nominees

President Obama is beginning informal talks with potential U.S. Supreme Court nominees. Obama is speaking with about 10 nominees, an unnamed White House official told Reuters and the Associated Press. AP says the list includes Solicitor General Elena Kagan; federal appeals judges Diane Wood, Merrick Garland and Sidney Thomas; former…

Apr 21, 2010 11:29 AM CDT

Ex-SG Says Kagan Is Progressive on Executive Power; Some Liberals Think Otherwise

Is Solicitor General Elena Kagan so conservative that she will disappoint liberals if she is nominated to the Supreme Court? Some liberals are criticizing Kagan for her stances on executive power and national security wiretaps, the National Law Journal reports. But “most liberals will likely fall in line behind her”…

Apr 19, 2010 11:00 AM CDT

Kagan Appears Popular with Justices, But ‘Tangles Regularly’ with Roberts

If Solicitor General Elena Kagan is nominated and confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, she will be joining justices who mostly appear to appreciate her businesslike style. The exception may be Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who has had some “testy exchanges” with Kagan in oral arguments, the New…

Apr 15, 2010 1:33 PM CDT

These Six Lawyers Aren’t on the Supreme Court Short List

The rumored U.S. Supreme Court short list continues to change as news stories and blogs report who’s in and who’s out. According to a roundup of the stories by SCOTUSblog, there are six lawyers who aren’t on the short list. One is Hillary Clinton. Press secretary Robert Gibbs has said…

Apr 14, 2010 4:03 PM CDT

Schumer Sees Link Between Citizens United Ruling and ‘Ethereal’ Justices

A Democratic senator says the Citizens United ruling on campaign finance shows the need for justices who have more real-world experience. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York is among several Democrats—including the president—who have criticized the January ruling that found corporations have a First Amendment right to support political candidates.…

Apr 14, 2010 2:17 PM CDT

Fight Over 9th Circuit Nominee Could Foreshadow Trouble for Supreme Court Pick

President Obama’s nomination of Goodwin Liu for the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is facing opposition from Republicans who say he is activist and outside the mainstream. Liu’s confirmation hearing is scheduled for Friday, the New York Times reports. The brewing controversy “could be a harbinger for…

Apr 13, 2010 4:27 PM CDT

About 10 People Said to Be on Supreme Court Short List; Clinton Isn’t One of Them

The Supreme Court short list isn’t so short any more. Earlier this week, the buzz centered on three people said to be on the short list to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens: federal appeals judges Merrick Garland and Diane Wood, and Solicitor General Elena Kagan. Now administration officials say…

Apr 13, 2010 12:14 PM CDT

New Name May Be on Obama’s Supreme Court Short List: Sidney Thomas

Amid speculation about which well-known potential U.S. Supreme Court nominees are on President Barack Obama’s short list, an unidentified senior administration official source tells the Associated Press that a new candidate has made the list. He is Sidney Thomas, a 56-year-old law graduate of the University of Montana who serves…

Apr 12, 2010 10:01 PM CDT

Only One of 3 Judges on Rumored Short List Would Bring Religious and Law School Diversity to Court

Justice John Paul Stevens is the only current member of the Supreme Court who is Protestant and who didn’t attend Harvard or Yale law school. Stevens went to Northwestern law school, where he was first in his class. And he is the only member of the court to identify himself…

Apr 12, 2010 4:43 PM CDT