The True History of Judicial appointments in the last 40 years

self | 10-26-2003 | WillRain

[WillRain]

This is purely a vanity post but I'm relying on the wise ones here at Free Republic to help me out. Next sememster I will have to write a paper on some "Special Problem" in history. This paper will rely very heavily on primary source documents.

One of the issue I am considering for the paper is the history of judicial appointments in the last 40 years. So my question is this: Where can I find original source documents on the confirmation of judicial nominees in the Senate since 1964? Is there an online resource for this information? I live in Mississippi so whatever subject I choose should be one in which I can find significant sources on-line (can't very well take a daytip to the LoC when you live down here!).

What I'm trying to avoid is the mountain of online pontification about which party did what to whom first. I want to analyze from the actuall facts what the history of this phenomena is including the reasoning behind the rejections or delays which occured.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[WillRain]

I will, if this thread produces much response, start another thread sometime asking for suggestions for subjects which would make good papers which have readily available primary source information. I'd be intrested to see what might be suggested.

Thanks in advance.

[VRWC_minion]

I think the senate web site has some material on this.

[jocon307]

What about your local library, do they have an archive of the NY Times? I did a research paper years ago and found great stuff on the NY Times on microfilm.

[WOSG]

You could call your Senator. There might be information at the Senate or Senate Judiciary committee on this.

Both Repubs and Dems have been using various statistics to make their points on how many are usually accepted.

[KMAJ2]

Here are a few web sites for you.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/reference_index_subjects/Nominations_vrd.htm

http://www.usdoj.gov/olp/judicialnominations.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/judicialnominees/

And a couple opinion articles about filibusters in the Judicial Nomination process:

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-eastman051503.asp

http://www.cato.org/dailys/05-06-03-2.html

http://www.fed-soc.org/judicialnominations.htm

Hope they help.