Obama strength? Reshaping the judiciary

[babylonsister]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2011-09-27/obama-judges-court-appointments/50557044/1

Obama strength? Reshaping the judiciary
By DeWayne Wickham

snip//


The president's greatest accomplishment, which he ought to mention in every speech to his core supporters, is what he has done to reshape the federal judiciary. Nothing is likely to have a longer lasting impact on the interests of the people who put him in office than his appointments of federal judges. Nearly half of his nominees who have been confirmed to federal judgeships are women; 21% are African American; 11% are Hispanic and 7% are Asian. Less than 30% of his judicial appointments have gone to white men, who hold the lion's share of federal judgeships.

In the more than two centuries since the U.S. Supreme Court was created, just four women have won confirmation to a seat on the nation's highest court. Obama nominated two of those four. He has put the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court and doubled the number of Asians who are sitting on the federal bench. This far exceeds the percentage of women and minorities George W. Bush put on the federal bench during his two terms and increases the chances that more balanced federal courts will protect civil rights gains and abortion rights, and give a fairer hearing to immigration issues.

All this, and the fear of a Republican president watering down these important gains, should be enough to get Obama's core constituents to stop whining and turn out in record numbers on Election Day.

[bigwillq]

1. K and R

:thumbsup:

[Renaissance Man]

2. Huge Accomplishment

I think a lot of folks would rather focus on pissing and moaning about everything not being done 100% in the way they would have liked it instead of focusing on this HUGE accomplishment.

Let the Republicans gain control of the White House and then see how they jumpstart the "up or down, nuclear option" shit again with appointments to the federal bench and the SCOTUS.

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. I don't think this president will truly be appreciated until he's been out of office for awhile.

The things he's tried to do in the face of unflinching obstruction from the right, and unrelenting sabotage from folks under his own tent, is exasperating, to say the least. While we rallied around Clinton, we've been quick to throw this president to the wolves.

[Whisp]

5. some of us do appreciating now, some will do it later

and some will never just because.

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Count me among those who appreciate him now.

:hi:

[Whisp]

8. from one appreciator to another

:toast:

[secondwind]

7. May it be five years from now.

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. I like that timeframe.

;)

[ellisonz]

4. 4 More Years! 4 M More Years! 4 More Years!

:fistbump: