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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Advocates Call for First Openly Gay Justice

Post would 'break glass ceiling in a huge way'

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(Newser) – Gay-rights advocates are calling on President Obama to fill David Souter’s Supreme Court seat with an openly gay person, Politico reports. “It’s not so much we want to check that box at the Supreme Court level, but that achievement would be breaking the glass ceiling in a huge way,” said one. Frustrated by the lack of openly gay cabinet members, groups are touting possible homosexual nominees.

Said to be in the running are two Stanford law scholars, Kathleen Sullivan and Pam Karlan. Says Karlan: “Given the landscape, I’m flattered, but not fooled, by having my name tossed around.” A conservative activist said an openly gay nominee would be a political “bridge too far” for Obama, putting “a whole new element into the debate that I don’t think he’s ready for.”

President Barack Obama, in a unexpected visit to the White House pressroom Friday, tells reporters that he just got off the phone with Supreme Court Justice David Souter.
President Barack Obama, in a unexpected visit to the White House pressroom Friday, tells reporters that he just got off the phone with Supreme Court Justice David Souter.   (AP Photo)
In this 2008 photo, US Supreme Court Justice David Souter smiles after speaking during a dedication ceremony at the State Supreme Courthouse in Concord, NH.
In this 2008 photo, US Supreme Court Justice David Souter smiles after speaking during a dedication ceremony at the State Supreme Courthouse in Concord, NH.   (AP Photo)
In this 2006 file photo, members of the Supreme Court pose for a photo in Washington.
In this 2006 file photo, members of the Supreme Court pose for a photo in Washington.   (AP Photo)
First Amendment scholar Kathleen Sullivan, a former dean of Stanford's law school, is being touted by gay-rights groups for the Supreme Court.
First Amendment scholar Kathleen Sullivan, a former dean of Stanford's law school, is being touted by gay-rights groups for the Supreme Court.   (Stanford Law School)
Stanford law professor Pam Karlan, openly lesbian, is also among advocacy groups' suggestions.
Stanford law professor Pam Karlan, openly lesbian, is also among advocacy groups' suggestions.   (Stanford Law School)
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14 comments
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Timinator2K
May 5, 09 1:12 PM CDT
HILLARY! HILLARY! HILLARY! Reply
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0
sadtimes
May 5, 09 1:20 PM CDT
Hilary on the Supreme Court? Are you smoking crack? Reply
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+1
sherry5
May 5, 09 1:52 PM CDT
What ever happened to hiring the best person for the job???? oh... sorry that is what a responsible conservative would do. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
wwwonderer
May 5, 09 2:54 PM CDT
as demonstrated by the previous conservative administration. But to your credit u did say RESPONSIBLE conservative.
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IN RESPONSE:
AnnieChrist
May 5, 09 6:28 PM CDT
responsible conservative is an oxymoron
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