Absolute Piffle

General commentary and new links from Richard Gillmann. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's serious, and sometimes it's just there.

Thursday, December 14, 2000

Supreme Court hands presidency to Bush

So just how partisan was this ruling?

JusticePres.Bush/Gore Recount Vote
William Rehnquist*Nixon (R)Bush
Sandra Day O'ConnorReagan (R)Bush
Antonin ScaliaReagan (R)Bush
Anthony KennedyReagan (R)Bush
Clarence ThomasBush (R)Bush
Stephen BreyerClinton (D)Mixed
David SouterBush (R)Mixed
John Paul StevensFord (R)Gore
Ruth Bader GinsburgClinton (D)Gore

*Chief Justice (by Reagan)

Seven of the nine justices were appointed by Republicans. These seven vote voted 5-1-1, while the two justices appointed by Clinton voted 0-1-1. So it wasn't strictly on party lines, but definitely not neutral either.

And what about the two justices appointed by Bush pere? Shouldn't these have recused themselves from ruling on the fate of Bush fils? It seems that this recusing business is more of a theory than something judges actually do. While I'm at it, how come members of Congress who are lawyers (most of them) find it ethical to vote for more laws, which make more business for lawyers?

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