Breaking Down the Potential Female Nominees For Supreme Court:
If you view the potential female candidates for the once again open Supreme Court nominations, only two others have the judicial experience of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan. For instance, see this CNN link.
Assuming there is a preference to fill this seat with a woman Justice, I would have to say that Maura has an inside track. After the Harriet Miers debacle, Bush can't possibly pick someone who is either an insider or does not have a judicial record. That nixes most of the other female on this list thus far. Here is my own breakdown.
#1. Judge Edith H. Jones: Considered a staunch conservative with long record of opposing abortion. Served as general counsel for the Republican Party of Texas from 1982-83.
Nomination Chance: Strong given abortion record, although could fall to cronyism charges because of Texas connections.
#2. Alice Moore Batchelder: Upheld partial ban abortion. Judicial experience.
Nomination Chance: Strong, conservatives would love her abortion record.
#3. Justice Maura Corrigan: Long Michigan appellate record. In 1992, Governor John Engler appointed her to the Michigan Court of Appeals. She was twice elected to that court and was appointed as its Chief Judge from 1997-1998 until her election to the Supreme Court. Was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1998 and served two terms as Chief Justice from 2001-2004.
Nomination Chance: Strong, although lacks a record on abortion.
Also rans ...
Judge Consuelo Callahan: Only been on the federal bench 2 years. Limited record.
Nomination Chance: Weak, Bush can't afford to nominate someone without a significant record.
Judge Edith Clement: She supports a constitutional right to abortion, opposes the death penalty.
Nomination Chance: Non-existent, conservatives would not allow it.
Maureen Mahoney: Mahoney has no judicial experience.
Nomination Chance: Non-existent, Bush can't nominate anyone with no judicial experience.
Judge Priscilla Owen: President Bush nominated her in 2001 but Senate Democrats filibustered the nomination until 2005. Before that, she was on Texas Supreme Court, elected in 1994.
Nomination Chance: Non-existent, Cronyism and filibuster are two words that Bush does not want to hear..
Judge Karen Williams: On the bench since 1992 with less than distinguished record. No abortion record.
Nomination Chance: Limited, Very few memorable opinions for someone with a decade on the bench. John Kerry faced the "what have you done with your time" arguments. So will she.
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