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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRobert Reich says the next Dem president should nominate Obama for the Supreme Court
From his Facebook page:
If Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat wins the White House next year, Barack Obama should be their first Supreme Court pick. He's been a constitutional law professor. He has the right temperament and values. He's a superb writer. The average age of newly appointed justices is 53; Obama will be 55 on leaving office. Even a Republican Senate would be hard-pressed not to confirm a former president. There are precedents (William Howard Taft was appointed to the Court after his presidency).
What do you think?
https://www.facebook.com/RBReich?fref=nf
It's not a bad idea!
dissentient
(861 posts)safeinOhio
(32,690 posts)I love it.
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)the Exorcist while stabbing themselves screaming F....F....F
LOL! Actually GOPer's heads would turn completely around like in the Exorcist
Like this?
MrModerate
(9,753 posts)for weeks.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)Reich is certainly correct about his temperament and analytic/writing skills, which would be ideal for the high court. The longer I think about it the better I like this.
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)Being relatively young is definitely a plus.
TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)It is a shame because everything he says is bang on but Obama has demonstrated an unacceptable framework of executive power that definitely must not be allowed to be guiding principles for our country moving forward.
I'm surprised Reich is comfortable with him on corporate and economic matters.
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)relatively conservative for Democratic appointees and very corporate oriented. Obama himself has given Wall Street a pass. We need more Notorious RBG's!!!
StevieM
(10,500 posts)Thurgood Marshall.
TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I'd say, her being younger and going to be on the court a lot longer, makes her "better."
calimary
(81,323 posts)For many years to come. Just we are unfortunately stuck with those schmucks john roberts and samuel alito. They're too young to bail yet. Unfortunately.
TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)It is like declaring Anthony Davis to the greatest player in the history of the NBA or calling Andrew Luck the best quarterback in NFL history citing their play to date and pointing at their age.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)StevieM
(10,500 posts)I used the word "arguably." Also, please see my response to your above post, where I answer your question as to why I like her the best.
StevieM
(10,500 posts)I agree that Ginsburg and Souter are/were fantastic Justices. I am in no way saying that they pale in comparison to Sotomayer or anything like that.
I love the dissent that Sotomayer wrote in the Veronica Brown case, in favor of her natural father, Dusten Brown, over her prospective adoptive parents, the Capobiancos. She took a firm defense for the Indian Child Welfare Act, and really demonstrated the insanity of the decision made by the majority. That earned her a place in my heart.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)the role of the SCOTUS is not to push an ideological agenda ... isn't that what we were/are complaining about in Citizen's United, Hobby Lobby, the ACA challenges?
But that said ... I think that President Obama's SC picks (to interpret the law) should weigh heavier than his appointees (to govern), as a hint to how he would sit as a Justice.
lobodons
(1,290 posts)But you must remember who will be appointing most likely. Hillary. Like she is going to nominate a WS foe? Not likely. Regardless how WS friendly her pick will be, it will be light years better than any GOP pick.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)FFS... no one has even entered the race yet.
marym625
(17,997 posts)MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)Demeter
(85,373 posts)and then, there's the war criminal aspect....
I've got to wonder why Reich feels the need to suck up like that.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)I want a better champion of civil liberties and separation of powers.
Vincardog
(20,234 posts)Overturn Citizen United? Would he do anything to halt the Corporate coup in the USA?
No, look at the TTP.
thesquanderer
(11,990 posts)Though I'm still not sure what I think of his being on the court.
Vincardog
(20,234 posts)cui bono
(19,926 posts)marym625
(17,997 posts)Hekate
(90,714 posts)...great writer, all of it. The only question would be: would he want it?
Reminds me: Let's make sure we elect a Democrat!
AikenYankee
(135 posts)the post. Would he want it? I think he'd be great as a Justice, but also think he can give a hell of a speech. Justices don't "go on the stump" so much. Of course, RBG has been great publicly expressing here opinions lately. Maybe Obama could do more for the country by playing more of a Bill Clinton type role?? Supreme Court Justice seems too "calm" for him. You're right .... need to elect a Democrat in 2016!!
lordsummerisle
(4,651 posts)Obama and Thomas serving together...? My brain is overloading...
PSPS
(13,603 posts)1. I'll allow Reich's opinion on temperament but we have six years of proof that Obama doesn't have "the right values," swooner opinions notwithstanding.
2. A Republican senate would have no trouble at all not confirming this former president regardless of any precedents. Hint: Obama will still be black when he leaves office.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)and Greenwald would have a stroke...
So count me as in FULL favor of the idea...
President Obama would make an excellent Chief Justice of the SCOTUS.
JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)And let an equal pay case cross in front of him . . . *rubbing my hands in glee*
hibbing
(10,098 posts)truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)greenwald greenwald greenwald ad nauseam.
Number23
(24,544 posts)bvar22
(39,909 posts)President Obama is very friendly with the Wall Street Banks and the 1%,
and doesn't respect the limits of power on the Executive Branch established in the Constitution.
We already have enough of those on the Supreme Court.
Warren would be a better choice
daleanime
(17,796 posts)with a new job.
Lucky Luciano
(11,257 posts)Thespian2
(2,741 posts)Ask the Clintons. Don't ask Carter...he does too much free stuff.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)But Obama doesn't exactly have a history of going for the money.
pampango
(24,692 posts)Get with the program.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)From: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/27/obama-brief
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,036 posts)Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)I cannot in good conscience say that the President who failed who prosecute Bush administration war criminals, failed to prosecute Wall Street criminals and continued the wide surveillance of Americans began under the Bush administration is fit to serve on the Supreme Court.
We have enough justices on that court who aren't fit to serve on it already.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)I agree completely.
ananda
(28,867 posts)Interesting idea.
Omaha Steve
(99,662 posts)Why not Bill too? Clarence Thomas had a sex problem past. Dem's let him in to extend the Voting Rights Act. That was a bad deal.
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)if Gore was selected in 2000 and Gore named him to replace Rehnquist in 2005 or whenever it was. Now, he's too old, I think.
Mira
(22,380 posts)ASKS QUESTIONS
(couldn't help it)
I think it's quite a good idea, if he would accept the offer to serve even more. I suspect he is going to be pretty worn out.
tishaLA
(14,176 posts)Much as I'd love it, I sense I'd be overdosing on antacids were it to happen.
He also has a more expansive view of executive power than I think is healthy.
a kennedy
(29,675 posts)LOVE THIS IDEA.....
He'd be the balancer...... LOVE THE IDEA.
ms liberty
(8,580 posts)sendero
(28,552 posts)... suit me. I think Obama would make a great Justice.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)J'BHO
RKP5637
(67,111 posts)a kennedy
(29,675 posts)New York right???? And where's the thread that said Barak wanted to live in New York??? OMGOSH. Supreme Court Justice, Barak Husaine Obama.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,741 posts)appalachiablue
(41,146 posts)interim I see him working with global matters as in foundations because of the presidency and his international background.
Stellar
(5,644 posts)..don't you think?
Gore1FL
(21,132 posts)As I think about it, I would argue that there are probably better choices with less baggage and less potential for divide.
They've been doing a really bad job of it, but it's important that the SCOTUS be trusted. Adding the political baggage of a former president would hinder any recovery in the credibility we, as a nation, need it to have in that institution.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)And Michelle should run for POTUS, it would be cool if she appointed him to the SCOTUS.
It would be fun watching the Republican reaction.
Bucky
(54,027 posts)daredtowork
(3,732 posts)Old and In the Way
(37,540 posts)A constitutional lawyer and former President? Awesome. He would be brilliant. And would look so forward to the mrons expressing
their outrage. Please make it happen.
Reter
(2,188 posts)So no thanks.
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)Leontius
(2,270 posts)CK_John
(10,005 posts)would ever confirm him.
The only thing this President will get is an impeachment vote from the House.
raging moderate
(4,306 posts)Let's all work together for this goal.
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)When Obama's term is over, he's going to appoint himself to the Supreme Court, and throw Fat Tony in the street.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,741 posts)RoccoR5955
(12,471 posts)Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)jhasp
(101 posts)and do it himself.
The debates would be phenomenal.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)Response to arcane1 (Original post)
Post removed
lpbk2713
(42,760 posts)Even if for no other reason than to piss in the other side's Wheaties.
But I know Obama would be a good and fair justice.
Gothmog
(145,335 posts)daredtowork
(3,732 posts)Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)seem to want him to be exactly what we scream about with the current court ... Partisan and Ideological!
Response to 1StrongBlackMan (Reply #79)
PragmaticLiberal This message was self-deleted by its author.
whereisjustice
(2,941 posts)Obama makes perfect sense for establishment conservatives squatting in the Democratic Party.
TBF
(32,068 posts)samsingh
(17,599 posts)but I'm not happy with the slow change to many things - cannabis deregulation for one
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)However, he won't accept. It is way more fun to be an ex-president. More lucrative, too. And I think he has already done enough service for his country.
NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)Just to watch Freeper heads explode. (Plus, I think she's 2 or 3 years younger than her husband and women tend to live longer - so, she could be on the court for 30 years.)
Andy823
(11,495 posts)She would make a great addition to the court, as would president Obama. Either one would work for me.
C Moon
(12,213 posts)MineralMan
(146,317 posts)President and on the Supreme Court. There's a tradition at work here that involves the separation of powers. I think it would be unlikely for President Obama to be appointed to serve as a Justice, frankly.
calimary
(81,323 posts)Then the enemy really will be stuck with him for the next 30 years! If they hate him so badly, then I wanna jam him down their throats.
kickysnana
(3,908 posts)herding cats
(19,565 posts)So would 2/3 of the Tea Party for that matter. Just the thought of the magnitude of their anger is reason enough to support the idea.
I don't care if there is little to no chance of it happening, I'm going to suggest it often if for no other reason just to watch the reactions.
Bill USA
(6,436 posts)Hawaii Hiker
(3,166 posts)I think the repukes would want to deny him a seat on the SCOTUS, they despise him too much....For fucks sake, they've already shut down the govt, delayed DHS funding, had 47 GOP senators write a letter to an enemy because of their hatred for this President....
LiberalLovinLug
(14,174 posts)Just when they thought they had rid themselves of the Muslim, gay loving, terrorist palling, Kenyan, commie n***** ....they'll have to deal with him for the rest of their political lives.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)We can do a lot better than Mr. Compromised. And, besides, what does Obama really know about the US Constitution??? According to his actions since 2008, precious little...
George II
(67,782 posts)...and making public appearances. Becoming a Supreme Court Justice really puts a cramp on one's style.
Response to arcane1 (Original post)
1000words This message was self-deleted by its author.
OnyxCollie
(9,958 posts)What's not to love?
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)OC, your pony will be arriving via privatized express mail.
JI7
(89,252 posts)yes, he would make a good justice but it would be limiting to what he could do otherwise. unless he wanted to get away from the public eye but still serve publicly .
YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)There will be a Barack Obama center ... like Carter's. It would be more apropos for him to follow in the footsteps of President Carter... and much more lucrative. Carter even taught at Emory University after his Presidency. I can't see Obama wanting to be a justice.