Replies

Dear Jay:

You obviously need to do some research and also learn to read, because you are simply wrong about many of these cases. If you want a third party count, see Reuters: https://graphics.reuters.com/TRUMP-EFFECT-COURTS/010080E30TG/index.html

The 9th Circuit does not have 13 appointed Republican judges.

The 3rd Circuit court is not tied, it has one more Democrat than Republicans.

Lott says that there were four Circuits where Republicans had control. Lott already mentions the ages of the oldest judges. You add nothing to that discussion.

You miss the Federal Circuit. but except for the 3rd circuit, you have the same breakdown in control numbers that Lott had.

Reading too quickly gets you in trouble and coming out swinging instead of asking for clarification completes the journey.

I got my numbers directly from the justice.gov site. I also used Wiki to check the numbers & the judges ages. You are suggesting I use Reuters?

If you read what I wrote several of the courts are presented as they will be with all present opening filled. I think this is your issue. Remember we just added 3 circuit judges.

Porter,David James 10/11/2018 03 - CCA
One vacancy remains which will tie this court

"The 3rd Circuit current composition (once vacancies are filled) will be 7 D appointed & 7 R appointed justices. This court is tied in R & D appointed

justices."https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Third_Circuit

Nelson,Ryan Dougla 10/11/2018 09 - CCA
The ninth circuit is also presented as with current vacancies filled as noted. There are currently 6 vacancies.

http://www.uscourts.gov/judges-judgeships/judicial-vacancies/confirmation-listing

I am sorry you feel I rained on your parade and impugned your article. My point was "Democrats still firmly control the nation’s district courts and circuit courts of appeals, where virtually all federal judicial decisions are made." is not an accurate statement and thus this article seems to be one of the many articles that try to depress Trump supporters and potential voters by exaggerating the difficulties of the task.

I believe it is incumbent on us MAGA types to push back and spell out the specifics. 4 Circuits in Republican appointed majorities & 2 tied (when seats are filled) is a solid start. The remaining circuits have elderly judges in late 70's, 80's in many cases. 1 or 2 justices taking senior status, to get a reduced case load for the same pay, would tie up or flip most of the remaining circuits. Not to mention the reaper that comes for us all.

It is hours of work to get the data to drill down on the circuit court composition and barriers to flipping. The district courts are important, I agree, but analysis of these will need to wait until I free up that time. They are less important but in worse shape. They are less important because anything at district court that is egregious can be bumped up to appeals.

“The 3rd Circuit court is not tied, it has one more Democrat than Republicans.”

According to Wikipedia there are now 13 Republican appointed Judges and 11 Democrat Judges on the full 3rd appeals court with one vacancy:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Third_Circuit