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Tutorials Next Week

Tutorials Next Week. Seminar on Online Research Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00-9:50 Hagey Hall 373. THE POLITICS OF THE SUPREME COURT. October 13th, 2005. Main Points!. the Supreme Court is critical in enforcing the separation-of-powers

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Tutorials Next Week

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  1. Tutorials Next Week • Seminar on Online Research • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday • 9:00-9:50 Hagey Hall 373

  2. THE POLITICS OF THE SUPREME COURT October 13th, 2005

  3. Main Points! • the Supreme Court is critical in enforcing the separation-of-powers • the Court is highly constrained in how it does so • the main source of the Court’s power is its legitimacy

  4. Main Points! • the Supreme Court is critical in enforcing the separation-of-powers system • the Court is highly constrained in how it does so • the main source of the Court’s power is its legitimacy • the Supreme Court is political

  5. The Politics of the Court • the political composition of the Court • the politics of Supreme Court nomination/confirmation

  6. The Politics of the Court • the political composition of the Court • the politics of Supreme Court nomination and confirmation

  7. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (08/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes S. Day O’Connor Republican 1981 (Reagan). Retire 2011 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative W.H. Rehnquist (Chief Justice)Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2005 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  8. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (08/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes S. Day O’Connor Republican 1981 (Reagan). Retire 2011 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative W.H. Rehnquist (Chief Justice)Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2005 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  9. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (08/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes S. Day O’Connor Republican 1981 (Reagan). Retire 2011 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative W.H. Rehnquist (Chief Justice)Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2005 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  10. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (08/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes S. Day O’Connor Republican 1981 (Reagan). Retire 2011 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative W.H. Rehnquist (Chief Justice)Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2005 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  11. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (08/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes S. Day ’Connor? Republican 1981 (Reagan). Retire 2011 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative W.H. Rehnquist (Chief Justice)Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2005 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  12. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (08/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative W.H. Rehnquist (Chief Justice)Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2005 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029 John G. Roberts Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030

  13. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (08/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes S. Day O’Connor Republican 1981 (Reagan). Retire 2011 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative W.H. Rehnquist (Chief Justice)Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2005 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  14. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (10/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes S. Day O’Connor Republican 1981 (Reagan). Retire 2011 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  15. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (10/05) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes S. Day O’Connor? Republican 1981 (Reagan). Retire 2011 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  16. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (2006?) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes H. Miers Republican 2005 (Bush 43). Retire 2020 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  17. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (2006?) J.P. Stevens Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029 H. Miers Republican 2005 (Bush 43). Retire 2020

  18. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (2008?) J.P. Stevens? Republican 1975 (Ford) Retire 2001 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029 H. Miers Republican 2005 (Bush 43). Retire 2020

  19. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (2008?) R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 H. Miers Republican 2005 (Bush 43). Retire 2020 ??? Republican 2006/7 (Bush) Retire 2025 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  20. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (2008?) R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes ??? Republican 2006/7 (Bush) Retire 2025 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 H. Miers Republican 2005 (Bush 43). Retire 2020 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  21. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (2008?) R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes ??? Republican 2006/7 (Bush) Retire 2025 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 H. Miers Republican 2005 (Bush 43). Retire 2020 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  22. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (2009?) ???? Democrat 2009 Retire 2030 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029 H. Miers Republican 2005 (Bush 43). Retire 2020

  23. Liberal/Moderate Composition of the US Supreme Court (2009?) ???? Democrat 2009 Retire 2030 R. Bader Ginsburg Democrat 1993 (Clinton) Retire 2009 D. Souter Republican 1990 (Bush) Retire 2020 S. Breyer Democrat 1994 (Clinton). Retire 2019 Swing Votes H. Miers Republican 2005 (Bush 43). Retire 2020 A. Kennedy Republican 1988 (Reagan) Retire 2017 Conservative John G. Roberts (Chief Justice)Republican 2005 (Bush 43) Retire 2030 A. Scalia Republican 1986 (Reagan) Retire 2017 C. Thomas Republican 1991 (Bush) Retire 2029

  24. The Politics of the Court • the political composition of the Court • the Court is in a period where a significant shift in its political composition is possible! • the politics of Supreme Court nomination and confirmation

  25. The Politics of the Court • the political composition of the Court • the Court is in a period where a significant shift in its political composition is possible! • the politics of Supreme Court nomination and confirmation

  26. The Politics of Supreme Court Nomination and Confirmation • all of the players (President and Senate) view this as a critical issue • nomination requires confirmation in Senate • requires minimum 60 votes (of 100) • Democrats currently hold... • 44 seats! • why don’t the Democrats just block the nominations?? • POLITICS!!

  27. The Politics of Supreme Court Nomination and Confirmation • political vantage point of the President • key opportunity to put lasting mark on the Supreme Court • serious pressure to nominate a justice with strong appeal to the President’s own political base • defeat of President’s nominee would be a serious political loss • strong incentive not to risk show-down with Senate

  28. The Politics of Supreme Court Nomination and Confirmation • political vantage point of the minority in Senate • outcome will have long-term policy implications (could be a serious loss) • depends (in part) on partisan orientation of justice being replaced • willing to fight harder if the nomination marks a shift in the court • President has national mandate and legitimacy in appointing Supreme Court justices • politically dangerous to obstruct unless a strong case can be made that the candidate is unsuitable • extreme political views

  29. "Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, children could not be taught about evolution...“ Senator Edward Kennedy Democrat--Massachussetts

  30. The Politics of Supreme Court Nomination and Confirmation • political vantage point of the minority in Senate • outcome will have long-term policy implications (could be a serious loss) • depends (in part) on partisan orientation of justice being replaced • willing to fight harder if the nomination marks a shift in the court • President has national mandate and legitimacy in appointing Supreme Court justices • politically dangerous to obstruct unless a strong case can be made that the candidate is unsuitable • extreme political views – more difficult to argue if the nomination does not shift the overall balance of the court

  31. The Politics of Supreme Court Nomination and Confirmation • political vantage point of the minority in Senate • outcome will have long-term policy implications (could be a serious loss) • depends (in part) on partisan orientation of justice being replaced • President has national mandate and legitimacy in appointing Supreme Court justices • politically dangerous to obstruct unless a strong case can be made that the candidate is unsuitable • extreme political views • personal issues

  32. The Politics of Supreme Court Nomination and Confirmation • the paradox of a nominee’s judicial record • if the nominee has limited judicial record... • easily attacked as not qualified • if the nominee has strong, established judidicial record • may be attacked as having extreme views (by other party) • may be attacked as having views which are too weak (by President’s own party)

  33. Main Point! • the Supreme Court is political • Supreme Court nomination/confirmation is high stakes and highly political • however, it is politics by other means • decisions must conform to rules of judicial reasoning • Court is constrained by the need to maintain legitimacy

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