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Supreme Court Speculation: Larry Thompson

Sentencing Law and Policy reports on "buzz" that President Bush may pick Alberto Gonzales or Larry Thompson for the second Supreme Court vacancy.

I would support Larry Thompson's nomination for the Court. I supported him when he was under consideration for Ashcroft's job. I know him through our joint participation in criminal defense organizations over the years, particularly the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. I have had long discussions with him -- and his wife -- at several dinners at these meetings, and I believe he is dedicated, principled and up to the job. I've previously said he would receive my endorsement for Supreme Court Justice:

Mr. Thompson has been mentioned as a possible replacement to retiring Supreme Court justices. That too would be okay in our book. He has been a defense attorney as well as a prosecutor. He understands constitutional rights, due process and fundamental fairness. He's certainly not a liberal, but he's as fair and honest as they get. Which is more than we can say for his boss and the Administration as a whole.

My other choice, if Bush is set on nominating a Hispanic, is 5th Circuit Judge Edward Prado. My biggest fear: Bush will play the 9/11 sympathy card and nominate former Solicitor General Ted Olson, an arch conservative and member of the radical right whose wife died in the plane attack on the Pentagon.

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    Re: Supreme Court Speculation: Larry Thompson (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:40 PM EST
    Quick comment.... Which one of you wrote this post? There are several people who blog here, so it would help if there was a way to identify exactly who writes each entry. Normally, we see "TChris" or "Last Night in Little Rock" but on this one, no name. Does that mean that Jeralyn Merritt wrote this entry? Does it mean she writes all unsigned entries? I'm assuming it does, but it's always better not to assume things. Now, in the newspaper business unsigned means it's the opinion of the editorial board as a group. And while Talkleft is not a paper, it is often a reliable source for news and info. So while it's up you you how you run your blog, I would suggest adding a name to all posts, unless they represent the view of all (or the majority) who blog here. Just a thought.

    Re: Supreme Court Speculation: Larry Thompson (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:40 PM EST
    As I said before, if Thompson is nominated, he needs to answer why he signed off on Maher Arar's "rendition" to Syria.

    Re: Supreme Court Speculation: Larry Thompson (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:40 PM EST
    Keylight, you are correct. All unsigned posts are by Jeralyn. All unsigned TalkLeft comments, like this one, are by Jeralyn. Everything that TChris or LNILR posts are clearly designated at the top of the post as being written by them. Jeralyn

    Re: Supreme Court Speculation: Larry Thompson (none / 0) (#4)
    by Joe Bob on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:40 PM EST
    If Ted Olson were to follow John Roberts onto the Supreme Court then the Republican side of Bush v. Gore would be well-represented. Ted Olson is one of the people Bush owes the fixing of the 2000 election to.

    Re: Supreme Court Speculation: Larry Thompson (none / 0) (#5)
    by mpower1952 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:40 PM EST
    Jeralyn- You probably just got Thompson's robe fitting cancelled. lol I keep reading that people, Reps, Dems, his wife, etc. expect to have influence on his decision. What a laugh. Bush goes by his gut! He don't need no stinking suggestions. Oh he'll play the game like he did when he originally nominated Roberts but if anyone thinks he really takes anyone's suggestions seriously, well I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell them.

    Re: Supreme Court Speculation: Larry Thompson (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:44 PM EST
    I'm guessing it will be Gonzales. This administration promotes people not on ability or competence, but on cronyism. Plus there's political pressure to nominate a Hispanic to the Supreme Court.