Introduction:
The Supreme Court is the highest and most powerful court in the United States. The Constitution only mentions that the Supreme Court has judicial power, ranking it as the uppermost. The Supreme Court is influenced by certain factors. When a vacancy occurs because of death, retirement, or impeachment of a Supreme Court justice, the president appoints a new justice who then must be confirmed by a majority of the Senate. As a result, the president and the Senate can affect the composition and sentiment of the court. For example, the court changed dramatically during the American Civil War (1861-1865), when President Abraham Lincoln appointed five justices to a body that had been controlled before the war by Southerners. Individual justices are also influenced by personal background, political views, and relationship with other judges, and even by the clerks who assist them.
The Solicitor General, who represents the federal government at the Supreme Court, also shapes the court’s agenda. As the chief government lawyer in cases …show more content…
They also consider the political influence of their selection on constituencies. Another consideration is a nominee's ideological orientation and how it will affect the balance of the Court. The frequency of 5-to-4 Supreme Court decisions reveals just how delicate that balance is. At the same time, presidents seek candidates possessing strong qualities of judicial temperament, that is, with a clear record of impartiality. Senate opposition is considered and whether the confirmation battle is worth the political risk. Nominations for chief justice include additional qualifications. These typically include a clear history of leadership and administrative skills. Enhancing a nominee's ability to foster collegiality within the Court is a clear level of distinction and