SCOTUS Watch 2010 is in full swing, with all eyes trained on President Obama as he prepares to nominate his second Supreme Court justice. Once he announces his choice to replace Justice John Paul Stevens, his pick’s confirmation hearings are destined to become a full-blown Beltway obsession. With high-court chatter in overdrive, we’ll attempt to cut through the noise each week. Here’s what you should know before venturing into the weekend:
First things first: Who’s in the running? While Obama is widely thought to have three frontrunners in mind—Solicitor General Elena Kagan and Federal Appeals Judges Merrick Garland and Diane Wood—there’s still time for a surprise favorite to emerge. The list of possible contenders mentioned in the media draws from just about everywhere: Obama’s cabinet, the senate, law schools, you name it.
But it appears you can strike Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick from the list, as well as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The award for most-creative response to speculation that she’s on the short list goes to Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Now back to those frontrunners. Many on the right are already launching a line of attack against Judge Wood, presumably making her the toughest to confirm of the three favorites. At the same time, many on the left think Obama is playing it too safe and are particularly troubled by the amount of conservative support for Judge Garland.
SCOTUS Watch
SCOTUS Watch 2010 is in full swing, with all eyes trained on President Obama as he prepares to nominate his second Supreme Court justice. Once he announces his choice to replace Justice John Paul Stevens, his pick’s confirmation hearings are destined to become a full-blown Beltway obsession. With high-court chatter in overdrive, we’ll attempt to cut through the noise each week. Here’s what you should know before venturing into the weekend:
First things first: Who’s in the running? While Obama is widely thought to have three frontrunners in mind—Solicitor General Elena Kagan and Federal Appeals Judges Merrick Garland and Diane Wood—there’s still time for a surprise favorite to emerge. The list of possible contenders mentioned in the media draws from just about everywhere: Obama’s cabinet, the senate, law schools, you name it.
But it appears you can strike Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick from the list, as well as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The award for most-creative response to speculation that she’s on the short list goes to Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Now back to those frontrunners. Many on the right are already launching a line of attack against Judge Wood, presumably making her the toughest to confirm of the three favorites. At the same time, many on the left think Obama is playing it too safe and are particularly troubled by the amount of conservative support for Judge Garland.
Some serious court observers say the smart money is on Kagan, and it seems she’d fit right in among the other justices.
In large part, the fate of the soon-to-be vacant ninth spot is in the hands of Washington power couple Bob Bauer and Anita Dunn.
And just for fun, take a look at the survey included in a fundraising e-mail from everybody’s favorite non-maverick.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 and was a senior editor until 2022.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
Are Friends More Important Than Romantic Partners?
The Local Girls Who Inspired the Hollywood Classic “Mean Girls”
These Volunteers Wake Up at Dawn to Collect DC’s Dead—and Injured—Birds
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This May
Democrats and Republicans Pass Balls, Not Bills, at Congressional Soccer Game
3 New Memoirs by Prominent Women
Everything You Wanted to Know About Urban Bear Sightings but Were Afraid to Ask, Because Who Wants to Get That Close to a Bear?
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist