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Attacking Nominees Demeans Court

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2009 3:53 PM CDT

(Newser) – The political attack ads popular in general elections have a profoundly negative effect on the public’s view of the Supreme Court when used during the nomination process, James L. Gibson writes fror Miller-McCune.com. “Politicized confirmation processes can indeed damage the institution of the US Supreme Court itself,” Gibson writes of a survey taken after Samuel Alito was nominated.

“We're not talking here about attitudes toward Alito but about the fundamental legitimacy of the court,” Gibson writes. The court aspires to be considered as above politics—an idea welcome to the public—but the nomination process can obscure that goal. “Politicized nomination processes unteach that elevated view of the courts,” Gibson writes. “It would not be surprising if many Americans concluded that the Supreme Court is just another political institution.”

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President Barack Obama announces federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, right, as his nominee for the Supreme Court. (AP Photo)

Members of the U.S. Supreme Court. (AP Photo)

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The Supreme Court is a political institution, but it is not political in the same sense as is Congress or the presidency. Undermining the court's authority is in the interest of no one. - James L. Gibson

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Timinator2K

May 28, 2009 2:29 AM CDT

"Based on what has come out so far, no such basis for opposing Judge Sotomayor exists." Other than her predilection to not (WINK! WINK! HA! HA!) legislate from the bench.

DeniseVB

May 27, 2009 10:10 AM CDT

She'll be passed through. The hard questions .... and her answers....have to be part of the public record to keep her honest :)

kokuaguy

May 27, 2009 10:10 AM CDT

Alito was opposed by the ACLU on the following basis: "At a time when our president has claimed unprecedented authority to spy on Americans and jail terrorism suspects indefinitely, America needs a Supreme Court justice who will uphold our precious civil liberties. Judge Alito's record shows a willingness to support government actions that abridge individual freedoms." [Wikipedia] Based on what has come out so far, no such basis for opposing Judge Sotomayor exists.

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Miller-McCune (Source Grid »)

Politics • Crime & Courts

confirmation hearings • Samuel A. Alito • US Supreme Court • attack ad • judicial nominations • presidential appointment • Sonia Sotomayor

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