The Long and Short Of President Obama's SCOTUS Nominee Lists

[babylonsister]

Sheldon Whitehouse? Oh no, he's so valuable where he is, as is Klobuchar (besides, she doesn't look good in black ;)).

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/04/09/the-long-and-short-of-president-obamas-scotus-nominee-lists/

The Long and Short Of President Obama's SCOTUS Nominee Lists
Posted by Michael Scherer
Friday, April 9, 2010 at 3:47 pm


The last time President Obama choose a nominee for the Supreme Court, his staff read the opinions and legal writings of more than 40 people. Nine candidates were contacted by the staff for further vetting. The president met with four candidates--Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Janet Napolitano and Diane Wood. He chose Sotomayor.

This time the White House is again not tipping its hand. There are no officials short lists or long lists. But there does seem to be some consensus among outside groups who track this process. Most leave Kagan, Wood, and Napolitano on the President's short list, and add one man to the mix, D.C. Circuit Judge Merrick Garland.

The names on the long list begin to vary, but there is a lot of overlap. Here is the unofficial list of other names from one outside group that is keeping a close eye on the President's team as they work to reach a decision:

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm; Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Cass Sunstein; Ninth Circuit Judge Sidney Thomas; Harvard Law School Dean Martha Minow; Stanford Law School Professor Pamela Karlan; Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick; State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh; TARP Overseer Elizabeth Warren; Stanford Law School Professor Kathleen Sullivan; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse; Attorney Gen. Eric Holder; and Former Georgia Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears.

There is a reason for the high number of non-judicial, judicial nominees on this list. Obama has long spoken of an awareness of the world outside of the law as a key factor in his decision making process. In his statement today in the Rose Garden about Stevens retirement, he alluded to this again:

And while we cannot replace Justice Stevens' experience or wisdom, I will seek someone in the coming weeks with similar qualities -- an independent mind, a record of excellence and integrity, a fierce dedication to the rule of law, and a keen understanding of how the law affects the daily lives of the American people. It will also be someone who, like Justice Stevens, knows that in a democracy, powerful interests must not be allowed to drown out the voices of ordinary citizens.

Read more: http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/04/09/the-long-and-short-of-president-obamas-scotus-nominee-lists/#ixzz0kiUyWuOj

[emulatorloo]

1. Interesting list -- Some very good people n/t

[frazzled]

2. Martha Minow would be a very interesting candidate.

She has that "real world" focus on lives of ordinary people Obama has mentioned, and although not a judge, she did clerk for Thurgood Marshall. She is, of course, the daughter of Newton Minow, the former FCC chair for President Kennedy who famously labeled television "a vast wasteland."

Currently dean of the Harvard Law School, her bio is here:

http://www.law.harvard.edu/about/dean/dean-bio.html

My current vote is for Martha!

[ruggerson]

3. My belief is that Karlan and Sullivan are being floated by the WH for cynical political purposes

as this President has no intention of appointing either of them to the USSC.

If he does, I will rejoice in being wrong.

[blue_onyx]

4. I would be surprised...

if Obama nominates a non-judicial candidate during an election year. The GOP will oppose anyone Obama nominates but I think a politician would cause the strongest opposition. The one good thing about picking a politician is they would already have experience in dealing with a hostile political environment.

[Hawaii Hiker]

5. I like the names on the unofficial list much better

IMO, Garland (57 yrs. old & too much of a centrist) would be the worst pick...That would be a kick in the lower area to the base...

He needs a grand slam home run w/this pick, & many of those on the "unofficial" list would fit that....

[veganlush]

6. I would like to see either Warren or Granholm..

..both really smart people..

[Jennicut]

7. Any of the names sound fine except Cass Sunstein.

Not really a big fan of that guy...

[Cha]

8. Interesting..and as the time

unfolds closer to when they'll announce it..there will be untold reams of speculation.:)

[Bitwit1234]

9. I'm from Minnesota

and before she won the election I would say Klobuchar would have been a good choice. But with the time she has spent in office she is one of the worst offenders of taking lobbyist money. And she wouldn't be worth a damn on the court. I'd mark her name out.

[DFLforever]

11. And her successor would be a Repub appointed by

Pawlenty.

[ProSense]

10. Good list. n/t

[Motown_Johnny]

12. Personally, I like Elizabeth Warren

not "ivy league" which could help.

61 years old is a little on the high side for my taste, I would love to see someone appointed who we could count on for half a century but that isn't going to happen.