It happened with Souter.
I knew there was a recent example! It just wouldn't come to me, since I've paid no attention to the national goverment for years.
I actually think there's a good chance the phenomenon is still live, for the same reasons inexperienced political candidates like Obama and Hillary are the front-runners: less history, less to oppose. Someone you know like Alex Kozinski or Posner will never be nominated.
Yeah, I thought you were talking about Alex Kuczynski, who will
really
never be nominated....
Souter is the example I always hear. While I am NPR-following the presidential elections, the last two have depressed me enough to not want to emotionally engage in this one at all.
I think Nixon didn't get quite what he was expecting out of Burger, either.
I wonder if newer folks were vetted more diligently?
To that point -- Clarence Thomas. Feh.
Happy Birthday+2, ita.
Oh, hey, look at that - original Star Trek on the CW. Awesome.
A gray and rainy, yet not as cold as it has been, day here.
I didn't have the fortitude to watch debates last night. Bad citizen, no biscuit.
I think its more than vetting though -- unless you're vetting for "completely lacking any legal philosophy" (which, you certainly could be).
A good judge, even one who disagrees with me on every topic under the sun is going to parse a case to a level of scholarly minutae which, in the course of a lifetime appointment, can certainly lead him/her to a conclusion that the guy who appointed him/her wouldn't like.
I suppose the other thing you could vet for is "will take bribes", because otherwise its hard to influence someone who has reached the top of their field and cannot be fired.
You could get a chimp like that past Congress (and I suppose there are arguments that they have) but you'd have to do it a couple of times to cause permanant damage.
I don't know anything about supreme court justices, but I like Bill Richardson for the simple fact that he is like the Pillsbury Dough Boy in politician format. I just look at him and think, "tee hee!"
There's just something about his face. A Richardson presidency would be the most cheerful four years in the history of the universe.
Didn't the great Samuel L. make a movie called 187, or something-187? I think he played a substitute teacher.
Yep. Samuel L. made 187. I seem to remember him playing a teacher and a substitute teacher in the movie. I think I own that movie, maybe I'll pull it out and watch it again today.
Allyson, the photos were wonderful! I love the one of Gavin and his reflection.
