In recent Supreme Court news, another justice will be retiring, meaning that President Obama must appoint another replacement. The Supreme Court's current oldest justice, who was, in fact, appointed by President Ford in 1975, Justice John Paul Stevens will finally be retiring. This comes close to a year after Justice Souter's retirement and replacement bythe first Hispanic female justice, Justice Sotomayor.
So, who could be the next Supreme Court Justice to walk up those steps and through those doors? Obama's short list is compiled of an eclectic bunch of potential nominees. On that list is a personal friend or should I say competitor? A Clinton? No, not Bill, of course. On Obama's list is a Mrs. Hillary Clinton, otherwise known as our Secretary of State. And, it seems that she could be a forerunner in this whole situation.
Could she or rather should she be considered a respectable nominee? Many are stating that her law degree is not enough for the position. That her experience is minimal. This brings to mind, the debacle that occurred during the Bush Administration. When Bush, Jr. took it upon himself to nominate his White House Counsel, Harriet Miers. In 2005, much controversy arose due to her qualifications, or rather lack thereof. Needless to say , the backlash led to Miers withdrawing her name and the appointment of Alito. As much as I hate to admit it, Obama's potential "Clinton" candidate serves as a reminder of that event. Is Hillary truly qualified for such a position? And, rather, would she want to take on such a position? Remaining within those walls until retirement? Would she want to give up her lavish life of traveling around the world and meeting with some of the world's top leaders?
But, Obama's list includes various other names that are being considered. Names range from a 14-yr veteran on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, Sidney Thomas to a Harvard Law School Dean, Martha Minow and the head of Congressional Oversight Panel, Elizabeth Warren. The President is feeling the heat from some White House officials, who feel that it is necessary for Obama to expand on the list of possible nominees to include more non-judges and include people with different backgrounds and from other regions of the country. Could we be seeing an Asian justice next? All the current justices except for the retiring Stevens are Ivy League law school graduates. Which leads us to a question: Shouldn't there be certain criteria for one of the most important positions in our nation? And, shouldn't experience in the court of law as a judge be one of them? If so, how many people on this current list would meet that criterium?
I guess we will just have to wait and see who Obama nominates next to replace the beloved Stevens and walk those infamous steps. Clinton or rather, the first Asian woman justice?
This post and the previous ones are excellent. Also, your choice of photos is right on. As was the photo accompanying the anonymous source post.
ReplyDeleteThis post seems to call out for tighter writing. For example, after you discuss Clinton's chances of appointment, you name some others. These could be bulleted, as could his considerations. We're going to discuss bulleting in class.