Clinton appointee takes over as Chief Judge of the quickly changing 4th Circuit Court of Appeals

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Karen Williams announced her retirement today as the Chief Judge of the 4th Circuit US Court of Appeals. She was nominated by George H.W. Bush on January 27, 1992. She was recently diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s. My best wishes to her.

The 4th Circuit was once regarded as the most conservative in the nation. With 5 vacancies it has the most by far of any federal Appeals court in the nation:




William Byrd Traxler, Jr. is now the Chief Judge. He was nominated by William J. Clinton on July 10, 1998.

On April 2, 2009 President Obama nominated Judge Andre Davis to fill one of the vacancies but he has not yet been confirmed by the Senate. If Obama is able to get the other 4 seats confirmed the once most conservative court in the nation will have a 2-1 Democratic appointee majority.

The 4th Circuit presides over a region that includes South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, DC, and Maryland.

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1. Interestingly the 4th Circuit has never had one of its judges promoted to SCOTUS

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2. How judges ascend to chief judge when another chief judge retires from WP:

Chief judges are chosen without regard to political affiliation, following federal laws that elevate the most senior judge under the age of 64 with at least one year of experience on the court.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/09/AR2009070901983.html?hpid=topnews

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3. Williams is a young 57

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4. K & R

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5. A look at the new Chief judge on a ruling related to abortion:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5918907

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11. Of course he back Bush's indefinite detention policies

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6. recommend

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7. court appointments last so long - very important! nt

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8. knr nt

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9. K & R

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10. K&R nt