In addition to an in-depth knowledge of the law and a settled judicial philosophy, a judge must have the backbone to withstand the inevitable onslaught of withering criticism from the mainstream media and the societal elites, cognoscenti, and other habitués who frequent the Georgetown and New York cocktail circuits without moderating his or her view to please them. Although he was speaking about his religious beliefs at the time, Scalia’s words could just as easily apply to conservative judges: “Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. … And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.”
While there are a number of well-respected organizations within the conservative movement whose views should be solicited and considered, the following non-exclusive list of current judges illustrates the kind of highly qualified, principled individuals the new president should consider—after a thorough review of their backgrounds, records, legal acumen, judicial philosophies, and intestinal fortitude—for nomination to the Supreme Court.
William Pryor Jr. (Judge, 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals)
The former Alabama attorney general made headlines in 2004 when President George W. Bush recess appointed him to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, where he was subsequently confirmed. While he was considered by some as controversial in 2004, during his 12 years on the bench, Pryor has established himself as a serious and thoughtful jurist, and has written on a variety of important issues. He is also a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
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NOOOO!!!!
ReplyDeletePryor has not been as radical as some feared. He upheld a plaintiff's verdict in an Engle challenge and has written a couple of other opinions that went against the conservative position. Not saying he's the next Earl Warren or anything, but he is not the most conservative judge on the 11th circuit, either.
ReplyDeleteA perfect choice, if intellectual dishonesty is high on your list of criteria.
ReplyDeleteIf I were a Republican president I'd probably nominate Pryor. Can anyone name a federal appellate judge who is more conservative than Pryor? I don't think I can. He's well to the right of Scalia.
ReplyDelete10:19 -- who is more conservative on the 11th Circuit than Pryor? I'd say he and Hull are the most conservative, and he's probably more conservative than she is.
10:22, you said it all. Intellectual dishonesty at its best with Pryor. And with no personality to boot.
ReplyDeleteCarnes (Ed not Julie) is definitely more conservative based on their records at the Eleventh Circuit. Hull is not that conservative, I'd put her left of Pryor for sure. But in addition to upholding the Engle process (which, in a different case, Judge Tjoflat gutted), Pryor has also ruled pro-plaintiff in a couple of discrimination and qualified immunity cases where I think Carnes or Tjoflat would probably have decided in favor of the defendants. I'm not saying Pryor isn't conservative, he is, but I don't think he is as conservative as several 5th circuit judges (the Ediths), or as conservative as Alito, for example.
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