Changes

The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is the federal appellate court having jurisdiction over Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North and South Carolina.  Its handles appeals from the Eastern District of Virginia, the venue preferred by federal prosecutors in many cases, including terrorism cases.  The Fourth Circuit has traditionally been the most pro-government appellate court in the [[United States]].

The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is the federal appellate court having jurisdiction over Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North and South Carolina.  Its handles appeals from the Eastern District of Virginia, the venue preferred by federal prosecutors in many cases, including terrorism cases.  The Fourth Circuit has traditionally been the most pro-government appellate court in the [[United States]].

A series of retirements after the election of President [[George W. Bush]], and his inability to fill most of the vacancies, left the the Fourth Circuit in a 5-5 split between [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] appointments as of 2007.  The [[Washington Post]] described the predicament as follows:<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/07/AR2007080701896.html</ref>

A series of retirements after the election of President [[George W. Bush]], and his inability to fill most of the vacancies, left the the Fourth Circuit in a 5-5 split between [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] appointments as of 2007.  The [[Washington Post]] noted that Clinton-appointed Judge Diana Gribbon Motz is the leader of the left wing of this Circuit, and described the balance of power as follows:<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/07/AR2007080701896.html</ref>

:The 15-member court has lost several prominent Republican appointees. Two of Bush's nominees, bottled up in the Senate even when Republicans ran it, were withdrawn this year when Democrats took over. The president only recently submitted one additional nominee, triggering concern among some conservatives that an opportunity to keep control is being lost.

:The 15-member court has lost several prominent Republican appointees. Two of Bush's nominees, bottled up in the Senate even when Republicans ran it, were withdrawn this year when Democrats took over. The president only recently submitted one additional nominee, triggering concern among some conservatives that an opportunity to keep control is being lost.