by DianeD

Created on: February 22, 2009

Potential Barack Obama Supreme Court Nominees

Among the numerous and overwhelming responsibilities that accompany being elected President of the United States, the responsibility having the most enduring consequence is nominating a candidate(s) to serve on the Supreme Court. Justices are appointed for life, but occasionally one or more of the nine Justices will retire or can no longer serve in the court due to an illness. A majority of the Presidential electorate will consider the prospect of these critical nominations, and thus, will cast their vote accordingly.

Supreme Court Basics

The importance of those who serve on this somewhat elusive group of justices is because their decisions will have a profound impact on issues that affect a widespread group of Americans. The court consents to hear approximately 125 to 150 cases per year out of the thousands of petitioned cases they receive. They may also choose to hear a case where lower courts of appeal have had differing decisions. The court rarely agrees unanimously on their decisions; with four conservative Justices and four liberal Justices at this time, the ninth Justice will be the tiebreaker. Since the Supreme Court decisions have such an effect on the daily life of citizens, political party platforms are always an issue; Roe vs. Wade is a good example.

President Obama's Criteria

Several times President Obama has been questioned on the subject of possible nominees, should there be a vacancy. Though a Justice has not announced retirement plans at this time, three of the Justices are thought to possibly retire. It has become known that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 75 years young, has pancreatic cancer; although she has commented many times that she has no plans to retire anytime soon. Justice Stevens, 89, and Justice Souter, 69, have also been mentioned in the possible retiree category, also with no confirmation. Since these three justices are of a more liberal viewpoint, it stands to reason that if they were contemplating retirement, they would make the move under a Democratic administration. President Obama, without mentioning names, has made it clear that his nominee would be a heart-felt, empathetic individual who understands the plight of the disadvantaged. That said, a few possible contenders come to mind.

Possible Obama Nominees

With Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose name was once brought up as a possible nominee, now out of the mix, Federal 7th District Court of Appeals Judge Diane Wood is a likely

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