I actually saw a really interesting law review article recently -- apparently every single SCOTUS justice appointed since 1935 has drifted ideologically away from how people thought of them when they were appointed. Obviously, people like Souter have drifted more than people like Scalia, but there's still an effect there.
Info like this makes me doubt whether ideology should matter much, if at all, in appointing SCOTUS justices, because we can't predict where they'll end up -- maybe we should just concentrate on qualifications?
Info like this makes me doubt whether ideology should matter much, if at all, in appointing SCOTUS justices, because we can't predict where they'll end up -- maybe we should just concentrate on qualifications?
Ideology matters because few drift right. The other problem is that leaning left shows an appaling lack of understanding that should automatically disqualify the nominee.
I can't see Thomas drifting.