| − | '''Anthony Kennedy''' is a Supreme Court justice who was nominated by [[Ronald Reagan]] after [[Lewis Powell]] retired. Kennedy shared a deep background and association with Reagan, who turned to him as an associate worthy of reward. Kennedy arrived at his prominent position through simple hard work and loyalty. His consistency and competence earned him a well-deserved reputation for reliability among his peers. It also served to advance his career as an attorney and judge. Described as unassuming and friendly, Kennedy has won the respect and admiration of his colleagues over the years. Kennedy often used his personality to win over allies and form unlikely coalitions. | + | '''Anthony Kennedy''' is a Supreme Court justice who was nominated by [[Ronald Reagan]] after [[Lewis Powell]] retired. Kennedy shared a deep background and association with Reagan, who turned to him after two prior nominations to a vacancy on the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] had not been confirmed. |
| | When Justice Lewis Powell retired in 1987, Kennedy appeared on a short list of possibilities for the President's nomination, but [[Ronald Wilson Reagan| Reagan]] nominated [[Robert Bork]], but the feisty, conservative Bork met with fierce opposition from liberals in the Senate and ultimately failed to win confirmation. Reagan nominated Douglas Ginsburg, a judge from the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia Circuit. Ginsburg, however, withdrew himself from consideration when allegations concerning his past marijuana use. Reagan, on the advice of Meese, finally turned to Kennedy to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. Kennedy's nomination, unlike Reagan's two previous picks, encountered little resistance. After the tumultuous events surrounding Bork and Ginsburg, Kennedy's low key nomination appeared calming and even liberals thought of him as fair-minded and pragmatic. The Senate unanimously confirmed Kennedy and he was sworn into office on February 8, 1988. | | When Justice Lewis Powell retired in 1987, Kennedy appeared on a short list of possibilities for the President's nomination, but [[Ronald Wilson Reagan| Reagan]] nominated [[Robert Bork]], but the feisty, conservative Bork met with fierce opposition from liberals in the Senate and ultimately failed to win confirmation. Reagan nominated Douglas Ginsburg, a judge from the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia Circuit. Ginsburg, however, withdrew himself from consideration when allegations concerning his past marijuana use. Reagan, on the advice of Meese, finally turned to Kennedy to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. Kennedy's nomination, unlike Reagan's two previous picks, encountered little resistance. After the tumultuous events surrounding Bork and Ginsburg, Kennedy's low key nomination appeared calming and even liberals thought of him as fair-minded and pragmatic. The Senate unanimously confirmed Kennedy and he was sworn into office on February 8, 1988. |
| − | Since he had experience as a federal judge Kennedy made an easy transition to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]]. Kennedy has voted consistently with his past record on many issues. He remains conservative on crime issues and still refuses to broaden the scope of his opinions. He has been effective in holding unlikely coalitions on the Court. Kennedy is an important pivot on which close decisions turn. Kennedy has recently become an important part of the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Court's]] centrist bloc. | + | Since he had experience as a federal judge, Justice Kennedy made an easy transition to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]]. He has voted consistently with his past record on many issues, but disappointed [[conservatives]] by providing a fifth vote to sustain [[Roe v. Wade]] in 1992. On several key issues Justice Kennedy remains the swing vote on the Court. |