Supreme Court Nominations Essay
Given the current political climate, the most important characteristic I would like my Supreme Court nominee to possess is neutrality. The nominee should be non-partisan, fair-minded, well-versed in matters of the law, judicial temperament, and good mental and physical health. Although the constitution does not require it, I would like my nominee to be well versed in legal and political matters. Their background should show that they possess the ability to handle power sensibly. This is especially because Supreme Court judges wield immense power, which one may be tempted to use unwisely for personal gain. Thus, the nominee should be a patriot, a characteristic that should be demonstrable in their past work. A look at their past should show a nominee that has worked extensively in the public service and has the approval of their colleagues. Their legal background should reveal their impartiality when it comes to judging the cases brought before them. Their background should reveal compatibility with the political and ideological ideas that the Supreme Court espouses (GOLDSTEIN, 2018).
When making my appointment I would consider factors such as race, gender, and religion. My consideration would not be for the purpose of exclusion. Rather, I would consider these factors to enable me make a decision that allows for representation in the Supreme Court. Any public office ought to be diverse to best capture and represent public interest. Furthermore, religion has a primary influence on individual values, which may affect how Supreme Court judges rule on religious matters (Gross, 2015).
Some of the key questions the Supreme Court will struggle with in future involve civic liberties and civil rights. The Supreme Court should serve public interest by ensuring the state does not limit civic liberties. I would like my nominee to put public interest first, without being influenced by politics.
The fact that the Senate is in Democratic control does not change the type of nominee I might select for this post. I want a non-partisan nominee; therefore, party affiliation does not matter as much as their personal inclinations.
References
- GOLDSTEIN, J. (2018, July 10). Evaluating a Supreme Court Nominee. Retrieved from American Constitution Society: https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/evaluating-a-supreme-court-nominee/
- Gross, R. (2015, January 1). Do the Religious Beliefs of Supreme Court Justices Influence Their Decisions? Retrieved from Moment: https://momentmag.com/symposium-religion-supreme-court/