Who will replace Justice John Paul Stevens on the U.S. Supreme Court?
Possible replacements for Stevens have been speculated on since before Stevens even announced his plans to retire, with speculation focusing on four candidates: D.C. Circuit Judge Merrick Garland, U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and Judge Diane Wood of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Here’s MSNBC pundit Rachel Maddow’s take on the Supreme Court nomination fight, which promises to be interesting, to say the least:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
While I’d be happy with any of the four possible nominees I noted above, I’d love to see President Obama choose a nominee from “outside the box” – perhaps an individual whose background includes more than just time sitting on the bench.
More than just time sitting on the bench? Background is really no concern of mine. I’d be happy with someone who knows Constitutional law inside and out and applies it to cases accordingly, each and every time. That’s really the only qualification I’m looking for. I don’t really care if someone grew up rich or poor, white or black, or is a Jewish disabled blind woman… just as long as they follow the law, not using emotional arguments to right wrong as they see deem fit. Is that so much to ask?
On another note, watching Meet the Press this morning, the commentators did say Obama might look outside the box for someone who did not go to Harvard or Yale — apparently Stevens did not (?) but all of the other current justices have. I also found interesting from the show, and David Brooks brought it up, that Justice Stevens was at the game at Wrigley where Babe Ruth made his famous pointed called shot. Wow! That was in 1932 and I think Stevens would have been about 12. Sort of answers the question “How old is he?”
forgot, Stevens went to Northwestern for law school, and Ginsburg went to Columbia. They’re the only two on the Court who didn’t go to law school at Harvard or Yale.
In regards to my comment about having experience besides sitting on a bench, I do agree with you that I want a nominee that’s extremely knowledgeable when it comes to Constitutional law, but I don’t what a justice who has no understanding of the real-life implications of their decisions. It’s said one of John Paul Stevens’ strengths was his ability to understand how his decisions would impact folks, and that’s a quality I’d like to see in his replacement.