Broad claims of authority and broad claims of illegality are equally suspect. |
But he was entirely reliant on the quality of legal advice he received. |
Edith Jones would in all likelihood trigger strong opposition. |
He has effected a sea-change in American constitutional jurisprudence. His sophisticated revival of federalism, in particular, renews that which makes democracy work -- not in theory, but on the ground. It gives divergent voices a chance to be heard and prevail, not in one venue, but in 50. Had the Court heeded his wisdom more thoroughly, there would be less nonsense about red and blue division and far less cultural warfare. |
He's actually demonstrated that he's grown comfortable with the public interaction in a way that wasn't entirely true when he had his own confirmation hearings, where he appeared tentative. |
Here is somebody at still a young age who had a very strong institutional appreciation for the role of the Supreme Court in the federal system and worried far more maturely than some of his senior counterparts of the effect on our constitutional system. |
I don't think among the favored categories of gender and ethnicity, beyond Al Gonzales, the president has an obvious choice. |
I had the distinct impression he didn't think it was a good idea. There was a real risk of the proposal reducing the intended role of the Supreme Court as the final voice. |
I think they were aggressive. |
I think what happens in this process is there is an initial search and so much work is required to satisfy the competing constituencies that once a list is assembled, few people want to give it up. Some of the names on the list are almost venerable by virtue of age and longevity. There is a certain comfort in going with what you know, but it may not be the best. |
I'm certain that there are a few political advisers in the White House that have a little less hair. This is a chess game and it is important not only what moves you make but when you make them. |
It is a Reagan personnel officer's dream come true. It is a graduation. These individuals have been in study and preparation for these roles all their professional lives. |
It makes almost no sense to come into a department and ignore the people who have the most experience. And, it's a sure recipe for disaster because it will build up resentment from people who have made the department of justice their life's work and it will make it less possible for the president to get his policies implemented, |
Law schools have been producing high-ranking female graduates for over a decade. For example, Maureen Mahoney [partner at Latham & Watkins and a former deputy solicitor general] is one of the most excellent Supreme Court advocates. The mere fact she is not sitting on the District of Columbia Circuit ought not to disqualify her. |
moderate liberal heart. |