Chick List: A look at the women who may replace Justice O'Connor.

Opinion Journal ^ | 9/25/05 | MELANIE KIRKPATRICK

[pookie18]

If Edith Jones is nominated for the Supreme Court, at least she'll know what she's in for. The confirmation process for federal judges has deteriorated into "trench warfare," she told The American Enterprise magazine in June. "Every time I think it can't get any worse, it does."

John Roberts's confirmation may be the exception that proves Judge Jones's rule. During his hearings, Sens. Arlen Specter and Dianne Feinstein asked insulting questions about his Catholicism; Ted Kennedy called his Reagan-era writings "mean-spirited"; and several Democrats roughed him up over his views on civil rights. By modern standards, that's a love fest.

But the next confirmation is another matter. In selecting a nominee, one factor the White House must weigh is who would have the best chance of surviving what is sure to be a fight and, probably, a filibuster attempt.

It's all the more interesting since the nominee weathering Ted Kennedy's attacks may be of the same sex as Mary Jo Kopechne. There are 10 or so women whose names come up as possibilities for the Court, including Edith Clement of the Fifth Circuit, whose reported nomination faked everyone out on the day Judge Roberts was named, and appeals-court judges Karen Williams, Diane Sykes and Consuelo Callahan.

[coconutt2000]

I thought the Roberts hearings were rather comical.

Roberts was so obviously smarter that no amount of trying to quote him out of context or manipulation of the statements made by the minority's senators can hide that fact.

[ken5050]

Mornin' Pookster...the next nomination will indeed be a brawl in the committee, but it will be between the two parties, not between the Dems and the nominee.. Several GOP senators, notably Graham, have put down clearcut markers, and in the alternating question style, after every vicious Dem attack, I expect the following Pubbie to take on the Dem senator head first..

[steveyp]

That's why Janice Rogers Brown has to be the next nominee.

Can you see the Democrat's wailing that Bush didn't send them someone as smart or smarter than that white guy that was just nominated.

Neither can I. She would rip the veil open.

[neb52]

Chuckie and Durbin just pissed me off. They were constantly trying to find out what "causes" Judge Roberts supports and he keep coming back that as a Judge he supports neither side of a cause and rules solely on the law. The two D#$ks couldn't get it through their thick skulls.

[Rennes Templar]

Right. I relish an all-out battle over her or similar. It will expose the Dims ignorance and vitriole even more.

[gunnedah]

I know where you are coming from but there is really nothing funny about what is going on in DC. We are fighting twos over seas and three here at home.
Afghanistan and Iraq over there and weather,terrorism and the Democrats here and it seems the Democrats are aiding every one of the enemies. But the Democrats will have their day and I hope America remebers it well, Republicans should fight the SOBs on everything they want or do from here on it.

[RoadTest]

Janice Rogers Brown !
Janice Rogers Brown !
Janice Rogers Brown !

Keep it going until the Kennedy Gang runs and covers thewir ears.

Janice Rogers Brown !
Janice Rogers Brown !
Janice Rogers Brown !

[csvset]

I spent a few minutes reading up on Consuelo Callahan , (the name piqued my interest). The Dems, (Leaky Leahy & Diamond Feinstein), like her, she's Hispanic and she's a tap dancer as well.

[Popman]

Edith Jones hands down should be the nominee

Link

Link

[kellynla]

I still like Mark Levin for the next spot!

yea, yea, yea...I know, keep dreamin'! LOL

[aviator]

The two D#$ks are stuck on stupid.

[KenmcG414]

One man's opinion......Bush should nominate Janice Rogers Brown, an outstanding conservative. If the Dems filibuster Judge Brown they will have trouble with many Afro-Americans. A Brown filibuster could trigger the "nuclear option" led by no other than John McCain, who will become the odds-on favorite to get the GOP nomination.

[new yorker 77]

Also, Janice Rogers Brown was very well tempered during her first confirmation hearing.

[pookie18]

Lindsay Graham also says that Bush should do what he said by nominating someone in the mold of Thomas & Scalia. If he does that, let the games begin!!! I like Brown, Jones, Luttig & a few others...just hoping the prez doesn't back down...

[ken5050]

Everyone gives the Dems all this credit for politcal astuteness. Ever since the Wellstone Memorial, they are, what, 0 for 13, or somesuch...they've painted themselves into a no-win situation on this...

BTW..here's my long shot prediction..after the 2nd noinee is confirmed, after the nuclear option in invoked...W will re-nominate Estrada to the DC Circuit, to replace Roberts..And that's the Dems WORST nightmare..a youg guy on the court that in many ways is more important than SCOTUS..

[billbears]

And because she is conservative, I wouldn't expect her to be nominated. Decisions based on her views, along with Scalia and Thomas, with a swing vote from the new Chief Justice and one of the liberals, could very well shut down half the government Republicans are claiming to 'fix'. Her decisions could very well be a threat to Republicans and Democrats. Those 537 examples of mediocrity would end up having nothing to do with their time and even less to do with our money

[RobbyS]

Roberts said that before the Supreme Court, whoever presents the best argument consistent with the law should win. I agree with him that a right of privacy exists, whether that emcompasses a right to abortion is dubious. Casey simply said that it rests on precedent alone Blackmun's rationale was ignored. I think we know now that even Blackmun wanted only a limited right that would enable doctors to handle hard cases without threat of liability. Even Planned Parenthhood never expected the torrent of abortions that followed Roe. The" woman's right to choice" has worked out pretty much like "separate but equal."--badly. THAT is the fact situation now.

[pookie18]

Miguel Estrada is another I'd like to see nominated to SCOTUS, but not sure he'd want to go through that again :-(

[neb52]

Yes I have read that before, about the SCOTUS decision was based on the fact abortions would be limited and a minority decided procedure. But I am not a legalese, so I have not read up on it my self. I guess it is really left up to the States to narrow the definition? Of course it doesn't help when a neighboring State has more liberal abortion laws.