
	A Vacancy on the Court	<

Reactions to Nominees

The following quotes concerning particular nominees are not exceptional. More often than not, a nomination brings forth hyperbole from both detractors and supporters. You may not be able to guess the nominee attacked in the following statements, but you should get a sense of how little has changed in our 200 plus years of nominating justices.

For each of the following quotes, which nominee has been targeted?

... an office too important and dignified for a character not very far above mediocrity. ...(he is) wholly destitute of every qualification for that important station. Answer.
... taking into view (his) reputation, character, and professional career, he is not a fit person to be a member of the Supreme Court of the United States. (He does not possess) ... the judicial temperament and capacity which should be required in a judge of the Supreme Court. Answer.
(He administered)...the most dangerous blow which has been given our constitution and law. If (he) ... be now confirmed, all will be lost. Answer.
(This nomination) is an affront to the Court and to the people.... (It) is as menacing as it is unfit. (The president has) picked the one who would be generally regarded as the worst he could find. Answer.
Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance? We can't have all Brandeises and Frankfurters and Cadozos.... Answer.
...the President has at last entered the small circle of eminent lawyers, and then with great care has chosen the worst man in it. Answer.
Even those most acquainted with modern degeneracy were astounded at this abominable nomination. Answer.
It is rather odd ... that the chief of a Court which has to pass on the most complicated controversies of a great commercial country would be chosen from the Bar of a frontier State like Oregon.... Answer.
I cannot find a single distinguishing aspect of (this nominee's) legal career that would warrant his consideration for the Court. Answer.
No justice would be better than this injustice. Answer.

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