Wilkenson, Luttig Are Potential Bush Picks For High Court

The New York Sun ^ | January 27, 2005 | Luzia Savage

[Clintonfatigued]

And although they have contrasting personal styles and differing legal interests, both Judge James Harvie Wilkinson III and J. Michael Luttig are on many short lists of appointees to the Supreme Court should a vacancy occur during President Bush's second term.

[Clintonfatigued]

Judicial Appointment Ping

[ClintonBeGone]

J. Michael Luttig yes, Wilkinson, no way. He's already 60. Lutting has had the good fortune of having been Scalia's law clerk.

[CzarNicky]

Bush should appoint no one older than 50 to the Supreme court.

[Clintonfatigued]

Is there a ping list for Federal Judicial appointments? If there isn't, some freeper (preferably a pro-life lawyer) would be doing Free Republic a favor by starting one. We need to have regular heads up on this issue, given all that it effects.

[anniegetyourgun]

As you can see, there appear to be lots of folks on FR who think factors other than judicial experience, temperament, and constitutional thinking, should be taken into account in the president's appointments.

[cyborg]

True, but there are many wise older people and limiting one by age seems odd.

[anniegetyourgun]

Agreed.

[Tabi Katz]

I'm with you. I can understand being enticed by the longevity factor, but we shouldn't use age as a litmus test.

[nothingnew]

Are you folks related?

FMCDH(BITS)

[stinkypew]

Speaking of federalism, this proposed tort reform is a terrible idea. If conservatives can read the commerce clause as allowing it, then there is no difference between us and the left on federalism.

The states can deal with it, and many already have.

[HP8753]

I'd pick Ken Starr....That'd make the Loony Left spit blood and foam at the mouth.. ;-)

[madprof98]

There is significant cause for concern in this description of one of the judges:

"He is conservative, but most people would say he is more moderately conservative," said a professor of law at the University of Virginia, A.E. Dick Howard, who knows both judges. He said Judge Wilkinson is a "pragmatic" judge, concerned with "the way an opinion plays out in practical terms."

"It would not surprise me to see him voting with and reasoning along the lines of O'Connor and Kennedy, as opposed to Scalia and Thomas," he said.

O'Connor and Kennedy clones? No thanks!

[Clintonfatigued]

Well, if one wants to place an older person on the court, then Federal Judge Richard Posner would be the ideal candidate. He's 63 y/o and, like Luttig, a brilliant legal mind. But if he gets chosen, he'd better take good care of his health so he can stick around for a couple of decades.

[ClintonBeGone]

How's Laz?