Supreme Court Justice.. Bill Clinton

Perhaps a better title the "First Laddy"? I don't know.. does this kind of story help or hurt the "vote for Hillary" campaign?



http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/03/supreme-court-justice-bill-clinton/#more-4146

Supreme Court Justice Bill Clinton?
Posted: 11:52 AM ET


Would President Hillary name Bill to the Supreme Court?
WASHINGTON (CNN) — It is a title that would be sure to bring either fear or cheer to many Americans, depending on your political leanings: Supreme Court Justice Bill Clinton.

That provocative possibility has long been whispered in legal and political circles ever since Sen. Hillary Clinton became a viable candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. Now a respected conservative law professor has openly predicted a future President Clinton would name her husband to the high court if a vacancy occurred.

Pepperdine Law School's Douglas Kmiec said, "The former president would be intrigued by court service and many would cheer him on."

Kmiec worked in the Reagan and Bush 41 White Houses as a top lawyer, but said he has no personal or political "disdain" for Bill Clinton.

CNN talked with several political and legal analysts of both ideological stripes, and while several laughed at the possibility, none would rule it out completely. And all those who spoke did so on background only.

There is precedent for such a nomination: William Howard Taft, who called his time as chief justice, from 1921 to 1930, the most rewarding of his career. He was president from 1909 to 1913.


As one Democratic political analyst said, "You may recall recent trial balloons that Mr. Clinton was perhaps interested in becoming U.N. secretary-general. If he is grasping for a similarly large stage to fill his ambitions and ego, what better place than the nation's highest court, where could serve for life if he wanted?"

But a conservative lawyer who argues regularly before the high court noted Chief Justice John Roberts is fully entrenched in his position, and that might be the only high court spot Clinton would want. He also might not enjoy the relative self-imposed anonymity the justices rely on to do their jobs free of political and public pressures.

"Court arguments are not televised, and most justices shy away from publicity as a matter of respect for the court's integrity," said this lawyer. "Could Justice Clinton follow their example?"

Politics, however, may trump family ties. Perhaps three justices or more could retire in the next four to eight years, among them some of the more liberal members of the bench. The new president might face competing pressures to name a woman, a minority — especially a Hispanic or an Asian-American — and a younger judge or lawyer to fill any vacancies, three qualifications a white male in his 60s like Clinton would not have.

"This particular idea has zero chance of coming true," said Thomas Goldstein, a top appellate attorney who writes on his popular Web site, scotusblog.com.

The more immediate effect of such talk might be more practical: it could help motivate conservative voters in an election year to ensure no Clinton ever reaches the White House or the Supreme Court anytime soon.

– CNN's Bill Mears

not sure the ramifications.

Not sure why that small point wasn't mentioned in the article. I wonder if he was ever reinstated in NY State?

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the only requirement for the job is the advice and consent of the Senate. the president can nominate anyone they want to.

They hate this man. But then again, they wouldn't put up much of a fight to get him in there. After a year or so, impeach him just for the hell of it.

to match this guy:

Then again, don't give Hillary any ideas...

positions - i.e. William Howard Taft - the only person who has ever held both positions.

Willy would be "in" to...

you want him interpreting what the Constitution means? He is charming . He is incredibly articulate and he is a great politician. I think different qualities are wanted of a supreme court justice. Integrity being one of them. He also has never been a judge and I think he rarely even practiced law.

he'd do a fantastic job.

The next Democratic President should appoint nobody over 50 to the SCOTUS. We need people that will last a long time to balance out Alito and Roberts.

and, he had some health issues in 2004...

just like how I used to love Mario Cuomo or Laurence Tribe of Harvard if Dukakis had won back in 1988. However, they'd be too old now.

She would appoint Barack Obama to the Supreme Court. Sounded good to me - he's young and could potentially be there for 30-40 years. Plus, with his being a senator, he would be almost a shoo-in to be confirmed.

I think Bill is too old now, and he had those health problems a few years back as well.

If Hillary won the presidency.

I still think a win by any Democrat would be an upset.

Why does anyone think this guy has some special insight into Clinton's mind. He's a former Reagan and Poppa Bush lawyer who teaches at the same school where Ken Starr is dean.

THe fact that Kmiec says that Clinton would be intrigued by court service is no more credible than if Kmiec had said that Clinton wants to have a sex change and become a nun. What is more disturbing is the lack of critical thinking by DUers reading this story and not calling out the obviously goofy source.