Justice Kennedy Casts Deciding Votes

[cal04]

Justice Anthony Kennedy has become the object of his colleagues' attention on a Supreme Court with four reliably conservative votes and four dependably liberal.

Six cases before the Supreme Court this term have come down to 5-4 votes. Kennedy, alone, was in the majority every time.

Two cases last week -- including one the court turned down -- highlighted his pivotal role in shaping just about any matter of consequence before the justices.

It is his vote that could decide pending cases on abortion and school integration, as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Scotus-Kennedy.html

Supreme Court's 5 - 4 Cases This Term
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Scotus-Kennedy-Glance.html

[Demeter]

1. Just Lovely--Not

Our lives in the hands of the wrong Kennedy

[rusty charly]

2. school integration? are we still there?

[jobycom]

3. Great. The worst justice in recent history, including Thomas, and he's the pivot.

This flake doesn't know why he votes on anything. He's done interviews before where he's admitted he sees his role as balancing the Court. So he decides on whether he thinks the Court has moved too far right or left at any given period. He was the one Souter claimed he would have swayed on Bush v Gore if he'd had an extra day.

Kennedy is known for posing in his robes, and doing interviews where he speculates on his role in history more than on the cases before him. He seems in awe of his own bad self, and has created this image in his mind of quixotic, brooding justice who is the most important force on the court. That's why he floats all over the place. He likes it when the other justices try to sway him, because it feeds his self-importance.

Thomas is the dumbest Justice, as anyone can tell by reading his opinions (not how he voted, but just the weak thought process of his arguments). But Thomas at least knows which way he will vote, and has some sense that he's there for a higher purpose (sick though that purpose may be). But Kennedy is worse. And the saddest part is, Kennedy is in a position where the whole country will cheer or damn him on several decisions, and that's just what he wants.

I can't even imagine the nightmare of having Kennedy on the Court and Giuliani in the White House. Two delusional meglomaniacs deciding the fate of the nation by what makes them feel most powerful. God almighty, we have to win in 08.

[MasonJar]

4. It could be worse; we could have 5 sure-fire conservatives.