Real Clear Politics SCOTUS short list

realclearpolitics.com ^ | 10/27/2005

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Supreme Court Nomination Short List
Samuel Alito Jr
Age: 55 Education: Princeton University, B.A, 1972 Yale Law School, J.D., 1975 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Nominated by George H.W. Bush on February 20, 1990. Confirmed by the Senate on April 27, 1990, and received commission on April 30, 1990. Professional Career: U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, 1987-1990 Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1985-1987 Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1981-1985 Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey, 1977-1981 Law Clerk, Hon. Leonard I. Garth, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1976-1977
Janice Rogers Brown
Age: 56 Education: Cal State - Sacramento, B.A, 1974 UCLA Law School, J.D., 1977 University of Virginia, LL.M., 2004 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit Nominated by George W. Bush in 2003. Confirmed by the Senate on June 8, 2005 by a vote of 56-43. Professional Career: Justice, California Supreme Court, 1996 - 2005 Associate Justice of the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento, 1994-1996 Legal Affairs Secretary to Governor Pete Wilson, 1991-1994 Associate, Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Mueller & Naylor, 1990-1991 Dpty Secretary & General Counsel, Business, Transportation & Housing Agency, 1987-1990 Deputy Attorney General, CA Attorney General's Office, 1979-1987
Edith Brown Clement
Age: 57 Education: University of Alabama, B.A, 1969 Tulane University, J.D., 1972 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Nominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001. Confirmed by the Senate 99-0 on November 13, 2001 Professional Career: Law Clerk to Hon. H. W. Christenberry U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre Associate & Partner
Miguel Estrada
Age: 44 Education: Columbia College, B.A, 1983 Harvard Law School, J.D., 1986 Federal Judicial Service: None **Nominated in 2000 by President George W. Bush to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit. Estrada withdrew his nomination on September 4, 2003 after seven failed cloture votes. Professional Career: Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, 2000-present Assistant to the Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1992-1997 Associate, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1992 Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, Sthrn District of New York, 1990-1992 Clerk, Honorable Anthony M. Kennedy, U.S. Supreme Court, 1988-1989 Clerk, Honorable Amalya L. Kearse, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1986-1987
Emilio Garza
Age: 58 Education: University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1969 University of Notre Dame, M.A., 1970 University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1976 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Nominated by George H.W. Bush on April 11, 1991. Confirmed by the Senate on May 24, 1991, and received commission on May 30, 1991. U. S. District Court, Western District of Texas Nominated by Ronald Reagan on February 2, 1988. Confirmed by the Senate on April 19, 1988, and received commission on April 20, 1988. Professional Career: Judge, 225th District Court, Bexar County, Texas, 1987-1988 Private practice, San Antonio, Texas, 1976-1987 U.S. Marine Corps Captain, 1970-1973
Alberto Gonzales
Age: 49 Education: United States Air Force Academy, 1975-1977 Rice University, B.A., 1979 Harvard Law School, 1982 Federal Judicial Service: None. Professional Career: Attorney General of the United States, 2005 - present White House Counsel to President George W. Bush, 2001-2005 Associate Justice, Texas Supreme Court, 1999-2001 Texas Secretary of State, 1997-1999 General Counsel to Governor George W. Bush, 1995-1996 Partner, Vincent & Elkins, Houston, TX 1982-1994 United States Air Force, 1973-1975
Edith Jones
Age: 56 Education: Cornell University, B.A., 1971 University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1974 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Nominated by Ronald Reagan on February 27, 1985. Confirmed by the Senate on April 3, 1985, and received commission on April 4, 1985. Professional Career: Private practice, Houston, Texas, 1974-1985
J. Michael Luttig
Age: 51 Education: Washington & Lee University, B.A., 1976 University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1981 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Nominated by George H.W. Bush on April 23, 1991. Confirmed by the Senate on July 26, 1991, and received commission on August 2, 1991. Professional Career: Counselor to the Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1990-1991 Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1990-1991 Principal Dpty Asst Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1989-1990 Private practice, Washington, DC, 1985-1989 Special Assistant to the Chief Justice, Supreme Court of United States, 1984-1985 Clerk, Chief Justice Warren Burger, Supreme Court of the United States, 1983-1984 Clerk, Hon. Antonin Scalia, U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, 1982-1983 Assistant Counsel, Office of the President of the United States, 1981-1982
Michael W. McConnell
Age: 50 Education: Michigan State University, B.A., 1976 University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1979 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Nominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001. Confirmed by the Senate on November 15, 2002, and received commission on November 26, 2002. Professional Career: Professor, University of Utah College of Law, 1997-2002 Professor, University of Chicago Law School, 1985-1996 Assistant to the Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1983-1985 Assistant General Counsel, Office of Management and Budget, 1981-1983 Clerk, Associate Justice William J. Brennan, Supreme Court of the United States, 1980-1981 Clerk, Hon. J. Skelly Wright, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, 1979-1980
J. Harvie Wilkinson III
Age: 61 Education: Yale University, B.A., 1967 University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1972 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Nominated by Ronald Reagan on January 30, 1984, to a seat vacated by John Decker Butzner, Jr.; Confirmed by the Senate on August 9, 1984, and received commission on August 13, 1984. Served as chief judge, 1996-2003. Professional Career: Professor, University of Virginia School of Law, 1983 Dpty Asst. U.S. Attorney General, Civil Rights Div, U.S. Department of Justice, 1982-1983 Editorial Page Editor, Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 1978-1981 Associate Professor, University of Virginia School of Law, 1973-1978 Clerk, Justice Lewis F. Powell, Supreme Court of the United States, 1972-1973 Republican Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia, 1970 U.S. Army, 1968-1969
Karen Williams
Age: 54 Education: Columbia College, B.A., 1972 University of South Carolina Law Center, J.D., 1980 Federal Judicial Service: U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Nominated by George H.W. Bush on January 27, 1992, to a seat vacated by Robert Foster Chapman; Confirmed by the Senate on February 27, 1992, and received commission on March 2, 1992. Professional Career: Private practice, Orangeburg, South Carolina, 1980-1992
Others Mentioned As Possible Supreme Court Nominees: • Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) • Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) • Ted Olson • Priscilla Owen • Larry Thompson

[KMJames]

...biting lip and nodding head...

[BunnySlippers]

Thanks for this link.

[CommerceComet]

Brown was only confirmed 56-43 to her current appointment. Because this time it would be for a Supreme Court seat, I could see some spineless RINOs getting cold feet and deserting her. Brown wouldn't have much margin to play with.

I think that the President will play it safe this time and nominate a more moderate conservative than Brown. Not my wishes, just my prediction.

[Digger]

If Dubya tapped Luttig or McConnell I'd do back flips - even though I'd kill myself in the act. 51 & 50 years old - YES! They'd be there for EVER. The moonbats would be throwing "Mass Suicide Parties

I with you 100%. When another hopefully comes up then I would go with JRB.

[shield]

Rumors today are ALITO....will be picked....

[Tall_Texan]

McConnell looks like Phil Donahue, judging from that photo.

Do we really want a SCOTUS judge who clerked for Brennan?

[nyconse]

Exactly who in the Senatate will fight the 'good' fight with President Bush? There are some really important decisions coming up-parental notification, partial birth and a couple of campaign law cases (one of which could affect Free Republic). Now while we fight the 'good fight', Sandra will hear these important cases-no doubt she will consult foreign law. Miers would have been conservative, and she would have been in place in time: timing is everything. I wouldn't be surprised if the Dems blocked a Supreme Court judicial nominee until after the 2006 elections. I think 'pure' conservatives spoiling for a fight with Dems betrayed President Bush and severely weakened him. This sort of behavior will not help conservatives in the end.

[nyconse]

She will not, unfortunately, be confirmed.

[nyconse]

Great, we lose Miers (conservative) and gain a Clinton appointee. What a great deal.

[nyconse]

There is never hell to pay for these boys and girls-unfortunately. The only member of the gang of 14 to pay a price is Lindsey Graham.

[NittanyLion]

Minor correction:

Miers was killed off by the far right. Don't blame her withdrawal on the Democrats.

[Non-Sequitur]

That's exactly what happened last time.

Last time his nominee had her head handed to her. I doubt that Bush will stray from the expected path this time. If I was betting then I'd probably put money on Jones or Clement.

[Non-Sequitur]

The president is in the position now of saying to the Dims that if they wanted someone like Miers, they should have supported her.

The Democrats where the only ones who said they didn't have a problem with Miers. She had more vocal support from Leahy than from Brownback.

[Non-Sequitur]

Do you think Bush IS NOT a conservative?

I certainly don't. He's a southern Republican, not a conservative.

[Lazamataz]

Miers was killed off by the far right.

Liberal. What the hell are you doing on this forum?

[Congressman Billybob]

Did you want the nomination as Flip, or as Geraldine? She'd have a better chance, even with her husband, Killer.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "The Next Woman Nominated to the Supreme Court: This Time, No Death of a Thousand Cuts"

[Congressman Billybob]

I agree with your entire post. Judge Brown would be an awesome choice. Click Below. However, I put the odds at 25-75 against. Alas.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "The Next Woman Nominated to the Supreme Court: This Time, No Death of a Thousand Cuts"

[satan]

"United States Air Force Academy, 1975-1977"

Why did Gonzales leave the Air Force Academy?

[puroresu]

If the President can't rally the Republicans in the Senate to fight for him, then what's even the point of electing Republicans? Our choice at election time seems to be this: Either vote for a Democrat who will aggressively promote the leftist agenda, or vote for a Republican who won't do anything to stop the Democrats from aggressively promoting a leftist agenda.

If those are our only choices, the country's doomed no matter what so we may as well not even vote.


If the President had appointed someone like Brown, Owen, or Luttig to begin with, what do you think would be happening right now? I think that all the energy we expended fighting within our own ranks over Miers would have gone into fighting for the nominee. The Democrats would have thrown a hissy fit, threatened to filibuster, unleashed their attack dogs with howls about the nominee's alleged radicalism. But unlike with Bork in 1987, we could have fought back. We now have alternative media to take our case to the people. Do you really think that the American people would rally around the likes of Schumer, Biden, and Kennedy if they abused Brown or Owen (for example) during hearings? Quite the opposite.

If the Rats filibuster, force them to go 24/7. Conservative groups, instead of buying ads to oppose Miers, can now buy ads informing the public that the Rats are filibustering to protect partial birth abortion and to promote gay "marriage".

There's something badly wrong when conservatives win nearly every referendum on volatile social issues (in recent years alone, in Michigan & Florida on abortion, in California on affirmative action, and in a dozen states on gay "marriage"). Yet, a judicial nominee who would allow those popular referenda results to stand can't be enthusiastically supported by a party which supposedly stands with the people on those issues.

The President botched a HUGE opportunity when he appointed Miers, who may be a nice lady but who has also swung like a pendulum in the past. It'll be harder now to confirm a clear constitutionalist judge, but we have to try. The Democrats captured the term "judicial mainstream" during the Bork hearings. We need to capture it back from them. We need to make clear that a judge who FOLLOWS THE CONSTITUTION and allows the American people TO GOVERN THEMSELVES on issues where the Constitution leaves such matters to the voters is mainstream.

But that's not what we've been doing. Instead of challenging the Democrats who control the gate blocking us from the Supreme Court, we try to sneak around them. We say, "Hey look, Democrats....our nominee isn't out of the mainstream. Why, he's never once denounced Roe or written anything negative about gay marriage!" Then, we hope and pray the nominee, once confirmed, turns out okay. Usually, they don't. Miers might have turned out okay, but then again she might have started going to coffee & bridge parties with Ginzburg and turned hard left. We just don't know.

And then when the next vacancy came up, we'd have the same problem. Gee, can we find someone that won't ruffle the Democrats' feathers and who has never criticized liberal judicial activism in a speech or in print, and yet who will be a constitutionalist once confirmed?

Good luck!

I'd rather take my chances on a real fight.

[inquest]

I like Estrada for demographic reasons, both age and heritage. Also I like him for sticking it to the Dims who fillibustered him.

We'll need a hell of a lot better reason than that, like, his actual understanding of the Constitution. Now is NOT the time for a partisan food fight that has no constitutional dimension to it.