New developments in President Barack Obama’s search for a Supreme Court justice to replace David Souter. A new name surfaces: California Supreme Court Judge Carlos Moreno. The AP confirms these six justices—several previously mentioned on Rod 2.0—are also being considered by the president: Moreno, Elena Kagan, Jennifer Granholm, Janet Napolitano, Sonia Sotomayor, and Diane Wood.
Moreno was in the majority in California's historic judicial decision that affirmed the right of same-sex couples to marry.
Moreno was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1998 to serve as a U.S. District Court judge and the Senate unanimously confirmed him. In 2001 he raised a few eyebrows when he gave up his lifetime federal judgeship to accept Democratic Gov. Gray Davis' nomination to the state's high court.
Moreno is the only Democrat on the California Supreme Court and is widely regarded as its most liberal voice. Last year he signed on to the court's 4-3 ruling that legalized gay marriage in the state. Voters later banned gay marriage in a ballot initiative.
Obama is widely expected to choose a woman for a Supreme Court that has only one female justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The White House is also under some pressure to name the nation's first Hispanic justice. Moreno and Sotomayor are Hispanic.
Moreno's judicial and progressive credentials are excellent but at 60-years-old he doesn't appear to be a viable option. IMHO it wouldn't be surprising if his name were being floated merely as a trial balloon. Sotomayor is also an incredible candidate, very progressive and pro-gay. The right-wing would hate either candidate—which is good news to me—and is already astro-turfing opposition and smearing Sotomayor. Good. That means they're scared of Sotomayor.
this would be good...
obama's gay score would still be waaaaaaay negative...
but this would help him get closer to 0...
peace
ab
Posted by: alicia banks | 14 May 2009 at 14:37
He's cool in all.
BUT! We need another female judge on that court. We only have 1 and she's old as hell lol. it's time for another female judge to balance it out.
Posted by: Giselle | 14 May 2009 at 16:49
hey rod.. i think the picture you have is that of the chief justice ronal george, not moreno...
Posted by: daftpunkydavid | 15 May 2009 at 17:01