| − | 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 political 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, who subsequently withdrew. 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, 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. | | 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. |