Posted on 03/13/2015 5:12:52 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
So in his turn writing “Tilting at Windmills” in the latest issue of the Washington Monthly, contributing editor (and esteemed friend) Steven Waldman needs just three sentences to toss out a very interesting idea:
If Hillary Clinton wins, Obama should be her first Supreme Court appointment. It’d be good for her, and very good for progressives.
Would he want it? It’s possible he’d view it as too confining, but it may be the only job a former president can get that won’t seem like a step down.
Jeffrey Toobin actually devoted a long op-ed back in 2010 to Obama’s sterling qualifications to serve on the Supreme Court, with all the temperamental factors that frustrated liberals about his presidency appearing as excellent credentials for the bench. Obama was, of course, a constitutional law professor, and there’s plenty of precedent for former pols being appointed to the High Court (Charles Evans Hughes, Hugo Black, Earl Warren, James Byrnes, and of course former president William Howard Taft, all being twentieth-century precedents). The average age of newly appointed Supreme Court justices is 53; Obama will be 55 upon leaving office.
Like Steve, I have no idea whether the idea would appeal to the president—less because it is “confining” but because, frankly, by 2017 he could be ready for a vacation of a decade or so, before retiring.
But if he is inclined to emulate Taft, how could a President Hillary Clinton possibly turn him down—unless she thought he could not be confirmed.
And here’s the thing that is fascinating about the idea: can you imagine the confirmation fight an Obama SCOTUS appointment would touch off? Presumably most of the people who would have voted for a President Clinton would think (a) she should be able to appoint any minimally qualified Justice she wanted, and (b) it would be a no-brainer to crown Obama’s career with one more stint of service. But the Right would absolutely melt down in ways that would not help the conservative cause.
As it happens, I was working in the Senate when Clarence Thomas was appointed to the Court, and afterwards I could not have imagined there would ever be a confirmation fight as loud and nasty as that one. I mean, seriously, it seemed every single American had a strongly felt opinion on the subject, in no small part because Anita Hill’s testimony struck a huge nerve in drawing attention to workplace sexual harrassment. But that whole scene would be a sunny late-spring picnic compared to an Obama confirmation debate. Assuming Democrats were in control of the Senate at that point, the confirmation would probably succeed. The question is whether the two presidents involved would relish this kind of fight—in Obama’s case, a last chance to stick it to his tormenters. I’d be all for it, if he were willing.
Justice Obama? I highly doubt it. Post Presidency, Mr. Selfie wants to have at least as much fun as Bill Clinton is having. That’s would not be possible as a SCOTUS justice.
You can add Sandra Day O’Connor to the list, she was in the Arizona legislature for a period.
As for Obama being nominated to the Supreme Court, I think this is an outlandish dream. First of all, from all accounts the Clinton’s hate Obama. So what’s in it for Hillary? Secondly, Obama has long been focused on being a world leader from his 2008 campaign in Berlin on to today. I see him trying to be the next Jimmy Carter, creating some bogus foundation and actively criticizing his successor to the press and anyone who will listen.
I just don’t see Obama wanting to be confined to the Supreme Court, being one of nine rather than the all important hot shot. Another factor here is that John Roberts is Chief Justice for life. I think if Obama had a shot at Chief Justice he might briefly consider it. However I don’t see him even considering being an associate justice. He’s too self important for that.
as much fun as Bill Clinton
But Barry’s fun would involve men. I have no doubt he is as queer as a $3 bill. The only position he should be offered is “trustee” in a prison. But I wouldn’t even trust him for that.
Thank you for reminding us of the sheer terror a second Clinton presidency would induce.
I’m not sure about that. He was pretty friendly with the [female] Danish PM—that sure got Michelle angry. It is possible that he is Bi, but I really don’t think he is just a homosexual.
Clintons.
I think the little 0 wants to be head of the United Nations.
Expect the UN to become relevant once the butt licking MSM starts following his every move.
Hussein may not be totally homosexual but his “wife” surely is.
Good grief, what does it take to get rid of this one small nucleus of people, from both left and right, who think they and their families deserve to remain entrenched in power over the rest of us? George Washington didn’t even want the job, and couldn’t wait until he could leave it-because it was truly public service, not a route to money and power over his fellow citizens.
Chief Justice Roberts, despite his relatively young age, has health issues, if I remember correctly.
Obama?
Supreme Court Justice?
Not hardly. He is actually a weak minded, lazy, party guy.
Is Barack Obama Gay?
http://hillbuzz.org/is-barack-obama-gay
Claim: Obama hid ‘gay life’ to become president: Chicago homosexual community shocked he could keep it secret
http://www.wnd.com/2012/09/claim-obama-hid-gay-life-to-become-president/#ttWDizqCUmL4cLG8.99
The Secretary-General of the UN cannot come from the any of the permanent members of the Security Council, as per the UN Charter.
I’m not sure why this talk comes up with every Dem President/candidate for President.
Illegitimate, bisexual, Marxist Kenyan Muslim usurper.
We must be all-inclusive, must we not?
Constitutional Law PROFESSOR? When? Where?
Adjunct Lecturer? Maybe, but, in face of his destructive disregard for it, to give him any credence for knowledge of the U. S. Constitution is simply “A Bridge Too Far!”
“President of the World, via his position of the UN”
He would have to resign or die to give up his spot on the Supreme Court. I don’t see that happening. The Chief Justice has a lot of power and that is intoxicating. The last Chief Justice, William Rhenquest, died rather than give up his power.
That means nothing. i had a gay cousin who only had female friends and was obsessed with the singer Ann Murray.
And not nearly as intelligent as he thinks he is. But I find most Libs aren’t nearly as intelligent as they think they are. They just believe their sycophant Media’s adoring reviews of anything Democrat.
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