H2: Free Response - Justices

(a) Identify three important characteristics of Supreme Court nominees that many presidents consider.

• Political leanings- What sides do the Justices believe in. Are they Democratic or Republican? If a President wants to appoint a justice, they will usually choose a Justice that is in the same party as they are. 
• Their Experience- The Judges should be experienced in law and cases in lower courts. 
• Their age- If a Justice is too old, they won't be able to stay in the Supreme Court for that long. Presidents choose a younger person so the ideas of their party are expressed throughout the years they will be in the court. 

(b) Explain how each characteristic has been politically relevant during the appointment process. USE real facts from the confirmation of Elena Kagan (or the justice you chose to research) to illustrate at least ONE of these characteristics.

• When a President wants some kind of reform to pass, he will choose a Justice that is a strong supporter of his reform, otherwise the bill he made won't pass. For example, the Republicans chose Thomas because of his strong republican leanings. Since their are more Republicans than Democrats on the court, things like Obamacare had a hard time getting through.
• Presidents cannot hire someone without experience. It would look bad to have someone running the supreme court without knowing what to do.
• Hiring someone who is younger would be an ideal move. It would show to young voters that the ideas of the Supreme Court Justices can change with time, and that the government won't be stuck in their old ideals. 

(c) Identify two methods that have been used by interest groups to influence the appointment process, either for or against a nominee for the Supreme Court.

• Donations can be used in favor of the nominee, or to influence who the Judiciary committee votes for. 
• Arlene Specter of Pennsylvania asked Kagan about a report written on the Supreme Court Justices. This was an example of influencing the Judiciary committee
• Influencing Senators on the Judiciary Committee. This was used during Clarence Thomas' nomination to the Supreme Court when he allegedly sexually assaulted a women prior to his nomination.