Is it possible that we may soon have the first Latino judge ever appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court? An article from AFP wonders if that could be possible under an Obama administration:Already observers are weighing in on what Obama could do in the key decision on replacements for the highest court in the land.It’s estimated that several justices could be appointed in the next few years, especially to replace leftists judges like John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
"It is quite likely he would choose a woman or a minority," said Nathaniel Persily, a law professor at Columbia University in New York.
"If he could find a Hispanic woman, that would be ideal, the best choice," he added…
Hispanics are an ever-growing demographic in the United States, making up 15 percent of the population.
Which Latinos could Obama nominate to the Supreme Court? Here are several possibilities:
- One of the top candidates is Sonia Sotomayor- a justice on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She is of Puerto Rican background and “one of the nation's most prominent Hispanic judges” according to the National Journal Magazine.
- Another option is Ninth Circuit appeals judge Kim McLane Wardlaw. A 2007 entry in SCOTUSblog predicted that she could replace Justice David Souter next year.
- A dark horse candidate could be Judge Jose Alberto Cabaranes. The federal appeals judge has extensive experience though his current age (68) is his biggest obstacle to being nominated.
- The truly adventurous gambler might place a wager on Judge Marilyn Milian. She’s best known for bringing her “sassy style of justice” to TV sets weekdays on “The People’s Court”. (Don’t laugh! There have been more controversial picks.)
Sources- The People’s Court, Wikipedia, fjc.gov, CBS News, AFP, National Journal Magazine, SCOTUSblog
1 comment:
A Latina would be fine but before that happens what about a Native American? What about a Muslum? There are now 5 Catholic justices. How about a Hindu, a Buddist or Shinto? The one religion that has been formed in the Americas is the LDS. What about a Morman? And for Traditionalist what has happened to the original tenet to expand the court as Appelate Courts or Circuit Courts were formed? There are now 11 numbered courts, the DC Court and the Federal Court for a total of 13 which is the symbolic number or these United States. Why are there not 13 justices. As it is now Souter covers the 1st and Third and Stevens covers the 6th & 7th while the Chief covers the Federal, the DC and the 4th Circuits/Appelate Courts.
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