Kennedy Seen as The Next Justice In Court's Middle--The Washington Post
"Alito's arrival...may turn the O'Connor Court into the Kennedy Court. If, as many expect, Alito forms a four-vote conservative bloc with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, that would leave Justice Anthony M. Kennedy -- a conservative who has occasionally voted with liberals on gay rights, the death penalty and abortion -- as the court's least predictable member."
By Fred Barbash |
January 31, 2006; 3:31 AM ET
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Posted by: A. Attlee | January 31, 2006 03:47 AM
"Kennedy Seen as The Next Justice In Court's Middle" - You have got to be kidding?!!! With Justice Kennedy clearly on record as supporting the notion that the United States ought to pay attention to legal developments in Europe with reference to "interpreting" the US Constitution, what more does this Justice need to say or write before he will be classified as what he is: a liberal activist judge?
Pericles
Posted by: Pericles | January 31, 2006 04:46 AM
Sometimes a step backwards is needed before people can be prodded to take a step forward. Alito will along with the rest of the Right on the Court alienate enough Americans over the next two years to help elect a Democrat as president next time. If, however, the Democrats follow the tactics and suggestions of Senator Obama and not Senator Kennedy.
Posted by: candide | January 31, 2006 06:14 AM
But on the other hand -- that is what optimists like me said about Hitler in 1933!
Posted by: candide | January 31, 2006 06:15 AM
But on the other hand -- that is what optimists like me said about Hitler in 1933!
Posted by: candide | January 31, 2006 06:15 AM
Another victory for the ruling Republican stronghold. Keep this up and the country will be on solid moral ground again. Watch Democats defect to be Republicans.
Posted by: Sol | January 31, 2006 08:05 AM
The Camp Republican siege - who will get out alive?
Posted by: Sol | January 31, 2006 09:00 AM
Regarding the comment that Kennedy is an activist judge, I agree, but it doesn't really have anything to do with being liberal or conservative.
Priscilla Owen is an activist judge too. You don't need to be liberal to be an activist judge.
Kennedy is arguably the most activist judge on the court, but he's still "the middle" now. And honestly I don't feel too good about that.
Posted by: k.b. | January 31, 2006 10:33 AM
Make that democrats DEFECATING in Washington.
Posted by: RightWinged | January 31, 2006 11:56 AM
new special at the Neocon Taco Bell in DC: Scalito Burrito,
Posted by: sushiboy | January 31, 2006 12:33 PM
You have it right on the button, Charles or Fred. With Alito the next Justice, focus from all sides is on Kennedy as the swing vote, and in this sense you are 100% correct to call this the beginning of the "Kennedy Court"!
I agree with those who feel that this makes them uneasy, as he is unreliable and subject to pressures. Basically, we have to put him in a bubble for his own good.
I have to say immodestly that I pointed all this out on Nov. 16. Yours is more timely, but I wrote the same thoughts when they might have made a difference. See my review of those predictions in: http://chinshihtang.blogspot.com/
Posted by: chinshihtang | January 31, 2006 12:48 PM
To Candide, I think you may be right. Alito may drive many issues back to the electorate. For example, will legislatures like PA pass anti abortion legislation if there is a chance it actually becomes law, and is not still born in front of a certain Supreme nulification. Stay tuned?
Posted by: CJF | January 31, 2006 05:07 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
dies juridicus
Cheney:
Excellent! The nomination of proconsul Alito complements
well the table set by proconsul Scalia. Send our accolades
to the minions, the minglers, the money washers, and the
other agents of our empire.
Lackey:
Yes, sire, as you wish!
Cheney:
You! Fuck head! bring me wine and an anacin and a nitro pill!
Lackey:
Yes your highness Cheney, yes!
Cheney:
Giorgio!
Giorgio:
Yeah? I'm gettin' off on the accolades, and downin' a Gatorade Cooler.
Cheney:
Giorgio!
Giorgio:
Yeah boss, what?
Cheney:
Giorgio, now that we have the Senate and all the proconsuls and
all the legions, we shall march, march to my plan.
Giorgio:
What's that boss?
Cheney:
It's somewhere east of Suez, Giorgio.
...to be continued....