What is too old for the next Supreme Court Judge?

[NJmaverick]

How old would be too old, in your opinion, for President Obama's next pick?

[MattBaggins]

1. Never trust anyone over the age of 30

[hlthe2b]

9. I never found that amusing when I was 18...

I find it even less so, today.

[Kaleva]

2. Thos who've already died of old age ought not be considered.

[joeybee12]

4. I don't know, that person would still be better than Alito, Scalia, Roberts and Thomas

More capable of intellectual thought at least.

[Deep13]

3. 60 nt

[Wapsie B]

5. My thoughts exactly.

60 would be pushing it. I'd like to think there's someone much younger out there who'd be qualified to be on the SCOTUS.

[MicaelS]

16. I agree 60 is it, no older. n/t

[TexasObserver]

6. 55

We need someone who can serve at least 15-20 years. I'd prefer someone under 50.

[NJmaverick]

11. I am leaning toward that age as the cut off

as you said you get at least 15-20 years

[TexasObserver]

13. And if they pick a healthy one in their 40s, we could get 25-40 years.

Given the current make up and the fact that the GOP has had a death grip on the court of decades, we have to get people who can outlive the bastards.

[NJmaverick]

14. 40s and liberal would be perfect

[Gidney N Cloyd]

7. Mid-50's. This isn't a job for late bloomers.

But neither do you want someone lacking in experience (in law and in life).

[panader0]

8. Good health should be a consideration

[Captain Hilts]

10. Hillary Clinton, sorry to say. nt

[NNN0LHI]

15. You think thats who it might be?

Talk about some exploding heads.

Don

[Captain Hilts]

17. No. I think she won't get it because she's too old. nt

[JerseygirlCT]

12. Might be related to how old the pick is!

IMHO, young and liberal is best. All else is less best!

[kentuck]

18. I don't think age should be the primary factor...

It's too bad that the Supreme Court has become a political tool for the Parties. Who thinks Roberts and Alito are not Republican stooges??

If we can get 15 or twenty good years from a brilliant Justice, then that is better than 40 years of mediocrity from a Clarence Thomas, in my opinion.

So, I would say that 60 would be the ideal age, not over the hill.

Forty would be too young.

We should not think of appointments in terms of longevity, in my opinion.

[NJmaverick]

20. I think age should be a flag issue, in other words too old should not be considered

The younger the selection the longer they will occupy that position and the less likely it will fall into the hands of the right (IMO)

[WeDidIt]

19. 45

Obama should appoint no SCOTUS Associate justice any older than 45.

Should the Chief Justice slot ever open up, no appointee older than 40.

[w4rma]

22. Agreed: 45 (nt)

[onenote]

21. since 1900, there have been 13 SCOTUS appointments over 60

Eight under 50, twenty-two between 50-55 and twelve between 56-59.

The youngest: William O. Douglas at 40.
Among those named to the court after they were 60;
Holmes, Brandeis, Taft, Hughes, Cardozo, Warren, Blackmun, and Ginsburg.

[WI_DEM]

23. 94

[Obamanaut]

24. Pick any age and there is no guarantee that the selectee, however young or

or old, will not fall prey to some ailment - dementia, alzheimer's, ALS, etc. - that would render that selectee unable to perform the duties of the job.

Pick someone qualified who is currently in good health and get on with it.

[NJmaverick]

27. Isn't it true that the older one is the more likely the odds of them being affected by one of these

things?

[Obamanaut]

28. Isn't it also true that one can be afflicted with most anything at

most any age?

Did you ever see the Labor Day telethon with Jerry Lewis? There are "kids" of all ages being struck down with various and sundry ailments.

[kentuck]

25. Should there be a minimum age?

I think that would be more appropriate. Obviously, Repubs want the youngest judges they can find that will do their bidding, regardless of what the law says. That is a dangerous precedent.

I think judges should be at least 55 years old and that might take a lot of the politics out of appointments?

[onenote]

26. no. William O. Douglas was 40.

More than half of the justices appointed since 1900 were 55 or under at the time they joined the court.

[AngryAmish]

29. Anyone of the 60s generation should be excluded

For obvious reasons.