Supreme Court appointees used to be less partisan, and most were confirmed unanimously or very close to it. And the kind of corruption we are now witnessing was unheard of.
While running for reelection in 1956, Republican Eisenhower nominated “moderate” Democrat William Brennan to the Supreme Court to demonstrate magnanimous bipartisanship en route to a landslide electoral win. Brennan, of course, turned out to be one the most liberal justices in Court history and the mastermind of liberal strategy in cobbling together majorities. Famous quote: “You have to be able to count to five.”
Richard Nixon appointed reliable conservative Warren Burger as Chief Justice, and then sought his advice on who to nominate for an open spot as an associate justice. Burger recommended his friend and fellow Minnesotan Harry Blackmun, and Nixon made the appointment. Blackmun, of course, would succeed Brennan as leader of the most liberal bloc and was the one who wrote the majority opinion in Roe v Wade.
By the early 1980’s, early in the Reagan era, conservative masterminds and strategists were frustrated by seeing liberal justices appointed by Republicans, and organized a systematic and coordinated effort to ensure that it would stop. In 1982, they founded the Federalist Society, an organization of conservative legal scholars funded by wealthy conservative donors that would study the writings and judicial history of potential judicial appointees for federal trial courts, appellate courts and, especially, the Supreme Court, and make recommendations and vet potential nominees.
Notwithstanding, George HW Bush did not want to be told what to do, made his own appointments, and nominated David Souter, who joined the liberal bloc, but he would be the last liberal to be appointed by a Republican.
I very much doubt those sugar daddies are happy about the publicity. That group prefers to pick their own candidates to sponsor but with this publicity there will be scores of applicants wanting fishing trips and lavish vacations.
Seriously who does not want to see those sycophants beaten like a rented mule for their complete lack of ethics and their love of the scam and influence buying & peddling?
Yes and no. In the Good Old Days, the Supreme Court was dead keen on ignoring any notion of “rights” that didn’t come with a price-tag or an ancient pedigree of prejudice.
Remember the reversal which occurred around 1964 to 1967 time frame, where the parties again switched from conservative to liberal and vice versa. Thus when people talk about political events prior to 64 you need to think of reversing the party IE Huey Long was a conservative democrat who tried to pull the same stuff tRump is pulling, but was killed when his ambush of a rival outside a court went wrong (or right).
The current conservative wing of SCOTUS demonstrates what people will do when there is no one to tell them “no.” Well, SCOTUS and that dipped-in-Cheeto- dust guy.
DD Wiz Premium Member about 1 year ago
Supreme Court appointees used to be less partisan, and most were confirmed unanimously or very close to it. And the kind of corruption we are now witnessing was unheard of.
While running for reelection in 1956, Republican Eisenhower nominated “moderate” Democrat William Brennan to the Supreme Court to demonstrate magnanimous bipartisanship en route to a landslide electoral win. Brennan, of course, turned out to be one the most liberal justices in Court history and the mastermind of liberal strategy in cobbling together majorities. Famous quote: “You have to be able to count to five.”
Richard Nixon appointed reliable conservative Warren Burger as Chief Justice, and then sought his advice on who to nominate for an open spot as an associate justice. Burger recommended his friend and fellow Minnesotan Harry Blackmun, and Nixon made the appointment. Blackmun, of course, would succeed Brennan as leader of the most liberal bloc and was the one who wrote the majority opinion in Roe v Wade.
By the early 1980’s, early in the Reagan era, conservative masterminds and strategists were frustrated by seeing liberal justices appointed by Republicans, and organized a systematic and coordinated effort to ensure that it would stop. In 1982, they founded the Federalist Society, an organization of conservative legal scholars funded by wealthy conservative donors that would study the writings and judicial history of potential judicial appointees for federal trial courts, appellate courts and, especially, the Supreme Court, and make recommendations and vet potential nominees.
Notwithstanding, George HW Bush did not want to be told what to do, made his own appointments, and nominated David Souter, who joined the liberal bloc, but he would be the last liberal to be appointed by a Republican.
continues …
FreyjaRN Premium Member about 1 year ago
It might be nigh impossible, but SCOTUS justices should not be enamored of power and money. Better that they love the law.
happyinvenice23 about 1 year ago
These two Idiots landed a lifetime paycheck and a do as you please mindset thanks to the DUMB A-S repubs, Your Fired!
The Nodding Head about 1 year ago
Oh gosh. Why not just let them do the work while they’re there.
Old recluse about 1 year ago
Who made today essay day? I wonder how many read all the way through these lengthy dissertations or access Internet links.
Alberta Oil Premium Member about 1 year ago
I very much doubt those sugar daddies are happy about the publicity. That group prefers to pick their own candidates to sponsor but with this publicity there will be scores of applicants wanting fishing trips and lavish vacations.
piper_gilbert about 1 year ago
Quick! Get your own Supreme Court Justice. They’re going fast.
Teto85 Premium Member about 1 year ago
Reason 1426 why Mr Luckovich has those Pulitzer wins as well as a Reuben win and other wins and nominations.
bevtracy2011 about 1 year ago
I yearn for the past, when I knew that SCOTUS was a agency I could trust to be pretty darned fair. Almost all the time.
librarylady59 about 1 year ago
Don’t forget Gorsuch.
WickWire64 about 1 year ago
Almost like beating a dead horse
Seriously who does not want to see those sycophants beaten like a rented mule for their complete lack of ethics and their love of the scam and influence buying & peddling?
willie_mctell about 1 year ago
Earl Warren was a Republican governor of California.
AndrewSihler about 1 year ago
Yes and no. In the Good Old Days, the Supreme Court was dead keen on ignoring any notion of “rights” that didn’t come with a price-tag or an ancient pedigree of prejudice.
Rich Douglas about 1 year ago
Every time you hear a baseless claim about Biden taking a bribe, just remember these two clowns.
Grandma Lea about 1 year ago
Remember the reversal which occurred around 1964 to 1967 time frame, where the parties again switched from conservative to liberal and vice versa. Thus when people talk about political events prior to 64 you need to think of reversing the party IE Huey Long was a conservative democrat who tried to pull the same stuff tRump is pulling, but was killed when his ambush of a rival outside a court went wrong (or right).
tpcox928 about 1 year ago
The current conservative wing of SCOTUS demonstrates what people will do when there is no one to tell them “no.” Well, SCOTUS and that dipped-in-Cheeto- dust guy.