JUSTICE 40/40: 40 JUDGES IN 40 DAYS

[BanTheGOP]

Currently, there are about 40 vacancies for federal judges in the US. While we have the mandate we must take action as SOON AS POSSIBLE to fill them with qualified individuals with as little congressional impediment as possible.

I propose the following:

1. NO judges should be confirmed for the remainder of the Bush dictatorship.
2. Once President Obama takes office, he should have a fast-track nomination and confirmation process for filling the vacancies. I suggest that an average of one judge should be filled per day, starting April 1.
3. By June 1, all vacancies at the Federal level should be filled.

PREREQUISITES OF JUDGES:

1. Track record of PROGRESSIVE legal interpretations from the bench, or legal representations of clients.
2. Age: 30-40. Keep in mind the nominated individuals do not have to have judicial experience, but courtroom experience should be evaluated. While 5-10 years may not seem like much experience, we can actually select from the fastest-learned, most prolific legal professionals at this rate. Exceptions can be made for outstanding candidates, but keep in mind that filling a vacancy is not just for quality decision makers, but for longevity of service potential to limit the vacancies for potential enemy administrations to make their selections.
3. We should ensure a minimum litmus test of support for the following:
- A. Support for the progressive agenda
- B. Believe in economic justice for all people
- C. Believe in social justice for all people
- D. Vigorously interpret the Constitution for the progressive tenets given here.
4. Be dedicated to good physical health to ensure LONGEVITY of service.

We have hundreds of top-notch, qualified legal professionals around the country that can meet these standards, and it will be important to select form a diverse amount of personnel to choose from. Such individuals will form the basis of preserving our rights throughout the first half of the 21st Century. Hopefully, by that time we will have merged with much of the world in a true global progressive society.

If anyone here has any recommendations to actual candidates, you can mention them in this thread.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Welcome to DU

Before you send any suggestions off to President-elect Obama, you might want to note that they're called "judges," unless they're on a Supreme Court, where they're called "justices."

Good luck.

[BanTheGOP]

3. Sorry, mind flip ...

Thanks. Actually, I did a brain fart; I used the topic name (Justice) when I should have typed Judges. I edited the Subject line.

But since "Justice" was brought up, I suggest we do what we can to get Justice Stevens to retire, and to put our Superstar Judge in place on the Supreme Court asap. Same conditions as above.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

5. Justice Stevens

Well, he is up there in years, that's for sure, but I'd be happier just letting him stay there until he decides to leave. He is, after all, another Chicago guy, and we like them very much.

[BanTheGOP]

6. Don't get me wrong...

I'm very happy if someone decides to stay as long as they want. In fact, I'll go ahead and adjust my recommendation for that particular circumstance. I'd hate, though, to see a circumstance where President Obama was hamstrung down the road at making a nomination. To be quite frank, I'm being more pragmatic with hope for the common good, but Justice Stevens was a stalwart during the enemy occupation of the presidency.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. We need Stevens

Don't forget - he replaced Justice Douglas, and he's comported himself admirably.

I think you can be quite certain that President-elect Obama already has his Supreme Court nominees lined up.

[Unsane]

7. I don't. Obama has optimum political capital right now.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. What does that mean?

I don't understand.

[Unsane]

10. Honeymoon period, sky high popularity, congressional goodwill. He could push through anyone now.

Maybe not so in two years.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

11. With the Congress as it will be populated,

I don't think there's any need to hurry. He's got time.

[BanTheGOP]

12. SPEED OF CONFIRMATION WILL DO THREE THINGS

First, it is extremely important to fill the spots quickly so that justice is given to more people.

Second, it will condition the congress to work at the speed necessary to ensure comprehensive legislation gets performed.

Third, it will establish President Obama's credentials as an effective leader that takes no guff.

Bottom line: it doesn't take rocket science to put qualified personnel into vacancies. But we also need to ensure that Congress does not start to dilly dally, which was one of Clinton's biggest mistake.

This is probably going to be one of President Obama's greatest accomplishments (well, one of several).

[Unsane]

2. Love your post and agree on all counts.

People I like:

Lawrence Lessig
Harold Koh
Elena Kagan

[BanTheGOP]

4. Elena is a GREAT SCOTUS candidate! Good find...

Although she's relatively older than the range of candidates that my recommendations provide for the vacancies, Kagan can still have a 25-year stint at the helm to lead our cause. In addition, with the litany of progressive judges at the lower levels, the cases that SCOTUS selects to hear will likely be appeals made by anti-progressive litigants, which plays favorably into our chances.

I will have my own list, but to be honest I would assume that Obama's transition team will be able to come up with such a list. I hope they don't get Pelosi on us and come up with so-called "centrists" just to pacify the base. We have our dogs in place in Congress; make sure we give them red meat to chew and not tofu.