The evolving Supreme Court
Fair Courts E-lert
Bibliographic Info:
Source: The Los Angeles Times
Date: 06/29/2008
Editorial argues that the U.S. Supreme Court is "still reckless in its treatment of precedent" but more in line with Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.'s comments regarding consensus during his confirmation hearings. Last week, the Court ended its 2007-08 term with the percentage of 5-4 decisions being "roughly half of what it was last term." Although "consensus isn't the only virtue - or even the greatest virtue - in jurisprudence," editorial states that "the legitimacy of the court over time is undermined by a perception that it is just another political arena in which liberals spar with conservatives on the basis of preconceived notions." As the "court plays a vital role in ensuring that the Constitution...has the last word," editorial argues that "would-be presidents should be careful not to suggest that they will appoint ideologically predictable automatons."