It takes the focus off what the Supreme Court really does. We don't get questions on what's maybe half of the court's docket on economic disputes. We don't get questions about anticipating future cases--the future in terms of technology and science. Nobody's thinking about them. The intense focus on abortion is distracting.

173

During the first four years of justices' tenure, their voting behavior correlates at a rather high level with their appointing president's ideology, but for justices with ten or more years of service, that relationship drops precipitously.

150

I told my class the other day I have no idea what judicial activism is, ... Maybe the best definition of a judicial activist is a judge you don't like.

134

In other words, liberal presidents appoint liberal justices who continue to take liberal positions for a while. Ditto for conservatives. But as new issues come to the Court, or as the justice for whatever reason makes adjustments in his or her political outlook, the president's influence wanes.

114

If their constituents think ideology is a good reason to vote against a nominee, ... they're going to vote against him.

100