Sotomayor, Kagan shift Supreme Court debates to the left

[TomCADem]

Source: LA Times

Reporting from Washington — For most of the last two decades, Supreme Court conservatives led by Justice Antonin Scalia dominated the debates during oral arguments. They greeted advocates for liberal causes with sharp and sometimes caustic questions, putting them on the defensive from the opening minute.

But the tenor of the debate has changed in recent months, now that President Obama's two appointees to the court, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, have joined the fray and reenergized the liberal wing.

Gone are the mismatches where the Scalia wing overshadowed reserved and soft-spoken liberals like now-retired Justices David H. Souter and John Paul Stevens. Instead, the liberals often take the lead and press attorneys defending the states or corporations.

"They're clearly on a roll," said Washington attorney Lisa S. Blatt, who has argued regularly before the high court. "They are engaged and really active. It just feels like a different place."


Read more: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/26/nation/la-na-court-arguments-20101226

[Poll_Blind]

1. This is the second article I've read on the topic this evening and while I...

...suppose the topic is of interest, both stories I've read would lead a reader to believe this makes any difference at all.

Which it doesn't and won't. Sotomayor the gesticulating firebrand. Kagan the bridge-building smooth-talker. What do those anecdotes and impressions mean?

From the article:

But the tenor of the debate has changed in recent months, now that President Obama's two appointees to the court, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, have joined the fray and reenergized the liberal wing.

What does that mean?

I'll tell you: Five to four. Five to four. Five to four.

Same as it was, same as it is, same as it will be until the conservative numbers are broken.

It doesn't matter if Sotomayor and Scalia take spiteful shits on each other's lawns- or makeout passionately- at midnight. Or if Scalia insists on wearing a catcher's mitt Kagan gave him during Supreme Court Spirit Week.

Five to four

PB

[pnwmom]

2. Justice Kennedy is the swing vote.

And Obama will likely have another appointment before 2012. Kagan and Sotomayor are a sign of things to come.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Can Kagan and Sotomayor persuade Kennedy?

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

5. Not sure 'bout that....

... but I'd put good money on the prospect that Obama - will - be able to put two more on SCOTUS before the end of any second term.

And that has the winguts and freepers in a positive shit-fit of depression.

[Poll_Blind]

6. IMO, the way the story is told Kagan and Sotomayor's personalities are...

...going to affect and possibly sway Kennedy's votes. I find that narrative oversimplified and questionable at best.

We're talking about US Supreme Court Justices, here. This is the most exclusive and powerful bench in the world. These individuals don't fit into the sitcom trope descriptions and dynamics.

BTW, please don't take my pessemism as me being angry at you (I can't check right now if you are the OP or not cause I'm responding)...I'm just pissed and sour about the whole situation.

PB

[LeftinOH]

4. Thank you, President Obama!

[whattheidonot]

7. so what.

Obama is in Goldman Sach's pocket. The people left out will get a little sympathy from the court. Until the economics are changed nothing else will much.