Massachusetts: Supreme Court

What kind of jurist will President Obama look for to replace David Souter on the Supreme Court? Based on what he said as a candidate, perhaps someone very much like Souter, at least in a more moderate, restrained judicial philosophy....

A Supreme Court seat isn't just another Washington job, so Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick doesn't appear to be ruling out his interest as categorically. Governor Deval Patrick Patrick, a close friend and political soulmate of President Obama's, was mentioned for...

I hate AIG.  I really hate the bonuses.  I don't think AIG should have paid them; rather, as I've said already, I think they should have withheld them and dared the folks who think they're entitled to them to sue.

But I'm concerned that an approach that's quickly gaining popularity in Congress will be tossed out by the courts as a "Bill of Attainder," one of the forms of legislation specifically prohibited by the Constitution.  See me on the flip.
Article I, s. 9 of the U.S. Constitution says that

No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

Exactly what does and does not qualify as a "bill of attainder" has been difficult to nail down over the years.

ABC is reporting that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been hospitalized and has had surgery for early-stage pancreatic cancer. Of course, I wish Justice Ginsburg a speedy recovery. Her illness is just a reminder, though, that sometime (sooner rather than later is my guess), President Obama (I almost wrote "president-elect!") is going to have the opportunity to nominate at least one associate justice of the Supreme Court.

My own choice: Solicitor-General designate Elana Kagan. Dean Kagan is finishing a very successful term as Dean of Harvard Law School, where she was able to foster a new era of good feelings among the famously fractious faculty.