Every Supreme Court nomination is historic in some respect. But the nomination of Sandra Day O’Connor to serve on the Supreme Court was especially historic: she would become the first woman to serve on the High Court. Check out this #CourtingHistory thread from @ShortCircuit)_IJ to learn about the news coverage before and after her historic nomination.
And, of course, every Supreme Court nomination triggers much discussion about the proper role of a judge. To learn more about IJ’s views on the role of judges, visit IJ’s Center for Judicial Engagement.
“WILL A WOMAN ALTER THE COURT?” Headlines like this marked Pres. Reagan’s nomination of Sandra Day O’Connor on 7/7/1981 as the first woman to join the Supreme Court. Read more about speculation before & reactions after her nomination… #CourtingHistory pic.twitter.com/bXYCtMWUop
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
2/ When running for president in 1981, Reagan promised that if elected and given the chance, he would name the first female Justice of the US Supreme Court. That opportunity came just months into Reagan’s first term when Justice Potter Stewart announced his resignation… pic.twitter.com/6T2rMJ1Vo4
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
3/ The White House knew well before his formal announcement that Stewart would announce his retirement in June, but agreed to keep quiet. They started vetting possible noms in March. WH counsel Fred Fielding prepared the first list of 20+ names… pic.twitter.com/0ATkGfNirl
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
4/ When Stewart’s resignation became public, there was rampant speculation about who Reagan would pick. Example: it was the final year for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment & many conservative pundits pushed for ERA opponent Phyllis Shlafly… pic.twitter.com/v9tzUPDteX
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
5/ Reagan-confidante Ed Meese said that he hoped for a Justice who would overturn the “exclusionary rule,” a Court-created remedy for Fourth Amendment violations that supporters said deterred bad behavior by cops and Meese said was “single most important” cause of crime wave… pic.twitter.com/lU6rMwuII7
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
6/ As with many #SCOTUS vacancies, the process was marked by “tough in-fighting” and interest groups “lobby[ing] for their favorite candidates” and attempts to “cash in” old “political debts”… pic.twitter.com/BhqbfqLctL
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
7/ On July 6, Reagan wrote in his journal that he had offered the position to O'Connor, and he announced his choice 7/7/1981. The immediate reaction was surprise—she’d only been a judge for 18 months, and for an intermediate court of a smaller southwestern state… pic.twitter.com/w92Cy7UOkR
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
8/ One of the possible nominees, Michigan state court Justice Coleman, was asked what he thought would happen with a woman on the Court. He thought Reagan's choice was “wise”… pic.twitter.com/w0Ccyp6ZJv
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
9/ Arizona colleagues from the courts and from her time in the AZ legislature supported her as well, and remarked how often she had broken barriers in her career… pic.twitter.com/Cbn2PhtsAl
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
10/ Judge Cornelia Kennedy, a rumored possible choice. When asked what she thought of O’Connor, she said she was pleased Reagan chose a woman but “I would have been more pleased if it were I.” #candid pic.twitter.com/7V1FtvXyG8
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
11/ The future of Roe v. Wade–then only 8 years old–was the most discussed aspect of her nomination. Groups on all sides weighed in with competing views… pic.twitter.com/ZEVPdamAWx
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
12/ Her confirmation hearing began on September 9. Many liberal pundits called on Democrat Senators to oppose her confirmation. One columnist wrote Reagan “unquestionably” won a “mandate” in the election but not a “mandate to change the Supreme Court as he sees fit”… pic.twitter.com/q0UBLsPFoh
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
13/ Pundits predicted a “tough” hearing though Republicans were confident she would be confirmed. Only 5 nominees had been rejected in the last century before O’Connor… pic.twitter.com/gaGdod2QiK
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
14/ The hearings opened with O’Connor introducing her family, including her 3 sons who she described as “a budding gourmet cook”; an “adventurer”; and “a writer.” She said she met her husband Scott while they were both on the @StanfordLaw Review… pic.twitter.com/9Wd02fY03d
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
15/ Ultimately, the Senate voted to confirm her and she was sworn in, making her the first woman to serve on the Court in its 191 year history. pic.twitter.com/3OctmYONT5
— Short Circuit (@ShortCircuit_IJ) September 10, 2018
