Most Americans Can’t Name a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Survey Says

Wall Street Journal ^ | 08/21/2012 | Steve Eder

[SeekAndFind]

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent landmark rulings on health care and immigration have made the nation’s highest court a topic at kitchen tables, coffee shops, and water coolers across the country.

But even with all that debate over the Supreme Court and its rulings, two-thirds of Americans can’t name any justices, according to a survey released Monday by FindLaw.com, a legal information Web site.

The most well-known member of the court was Chief Justice John Roberts, the survey showed. But even Justice Roberts could only be named by 20% of the respondents.

The most anonymous member of the court, according to the survey, was Stephen Breyer, with 3% of respondents naming him. Justices Anthony Kennedy (10%), Samuel Alito (5%) and Elena Kagan (4%) each were named by 10% or fewer of the people surveyed.

The survey showed that others–even those in much the media spotlight– were somewhere between little-known and obscure:

Antonin Scalia (16%)

Clarence Thomas (16%)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (13%)

Sonia Sotomayor (13%)

The study polled 1,000 American adults by telephone, according to FindLaw.com, a division of Thomson Reuters. The survey had a margin of error of plus-or-minus-three percent.

[Right Brother]

But they can name all the contestants on “Dancing with the Stars”.

[TigerClaws]

Elites want ignorant Americans. Easier to manipulate and to make them wards of the state (Rat voters).

[Dilbert San Diego]

I’ve seen similar polls in the past, in which many more people can name Judge Judy or Judge Wapner, than know who is on the Supreme Court.

It’s sad that so many are not well informed.

[fatnotlazy]

They also don’t know who their senators and congresspersons are. Heck, they can’t even identify the capital city of their own state.

[workerbee]

two-thirds of Americans can’t name any justices,

That means one-third CAN name one.

Drat! Looks like the socialists need to finally get serious about destroying education.

[Charles Martel]

Elites want ignorant Americans. Easier to manipulate and to make them wards of the state (Rat voters).

"What good fortune for leaders, that the people do not think."

- Adolf Hitler

[privatedrive]

Just curious - anybody know if Roberts has shown his face yet, after his traitorous, unconstitutional ruling?

[C210N]

I used to be able to name as many as five supremes. I seem to have recently forgot one of them, but the name still rings a distant bell.

Oh, I can also name 4 or 5 “people” that seem to usually be sitting with them nearby on the bench.

[bgill]

Larry, Moe, Curly, Joe, Curly Joe and Shemp.

[Starstruck]

I can only name nine. That must be about half of them. Right?:>)

[SoothingDave]

Of course they can’t. Only the President can name a Supreme Court justice.

[commonguymd]

Not only that, they can spell their names too I bet.

[MinuteGal]

Yesterday, Todd Schnitt, afternoon talk host who comes on after Rush in the Tampa Bay area, ran his own poll because of this national poll.

He asked a limited number of callers to quickly name one justice. The percentage of those who could was slightly above the 20% mentioned in the article.

The higher average was undoubtedly due to the fact that many were Rush listeners bleeding over to the ensuing Schnitt Show and also were listeners to the weakly-conservative Schnitt himself.

Thanks heavens for talk-shows. Too many people stop learning after they leave school, but at least they listen to the radio when their ears aren't glued to their cell phones.

I can't fathom folks not knowing the name of a single one of the Supremes....but then, again, as a highly-educated freeper, and as a watcher of the Jesse Watters segments on the Factor, I guess I can fathom it quite easily.

Some outstanding citizens of the good old U S of A probably can't even name the president of their own country.

Leni

[crosshairs]

Most Americans are completely uninformed idiots. But we already knew that.

[Arrowhead1952]

They also don’t know who their senators and congresspersons are.

The bad thing is that they are still allowed to vote.

[crosshairs]

Of course they can’t. Only the President can name a Supreme Court justice.

And if it's a Democrat president, the Republicans can be assured of rubber stamp approving it.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

If I were to win a multi-million dollar lottery, one of my many pastimes would be to sit at a table in front of, or near the front of, the local Post Office with a sign;
"Answer one question...Win $1000 cash"

I would ask questions like the aforementioned Supreme Court justice question. Or perhaps, 'please recite the Preamble to The Constitution'. Maybe, 'how many amendments are in the Bill of Rights?'

I dare say, I would not have to give away much money at all. If any.

[TurboZamboni]

all that matters is they know which circle to fill in to get free stuff.

[Hieronymus]

I guess the sort of good news is that of the 34% who could name any, the average number named was 3. Being able to name the President, Vice-President, both of one’s Senators, at least eight other Senators, one’s Representative, at least five othrer Representatives, one’s governor, and two-thirds of the members of the supreme court would seem to be a reasonable minimal standard for voting that would likely reduce the possible electorate by about 75% (I imagine 10% could do this spontaneously, and another 15% would be able and willing to get up to speed).