Friday Fun
Trivia round 2… Supreme Court. Who was the first rejected nomination to the Supreme Court? Which Justice(s) was(were) nominated and confirmed, but never sat? How many justices have left the bench (of the Supreme Court) to run for political office? Who is the only man to have headed two branches of government? What President nominated the most members of the Supreme Court after 1800? Who was the longest service justice? Shortest serving? Which justice(s) were impeached? Convicted?
November 18th, 2006 at 3:09 am
the head of two branches of government was William Howard Taft. I am guessing that Franklin Roosevelt nominated the most justices after 1899. The longest serving justice was William Douglas.
November 18th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
I believe Justice Hughes left to run for the Republican nomination for President, and then was appointed to CJ. Don’t know how many in total though.
Does CJ Rutledge’s recess appointment ending without being confirmed count as rejection? if so, I guess he’s the first rejected nominee.
I think there has only been 1 justice impeached, but not convicted, don’t remember which one though.
and John has all the other right. in addition, LCQ Lamar served in all three branches of government, though not at the head.
November 18th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
LQC
November 18th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Salmon Chase was impeached.
November 19th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
With help from Wikipedia, it appears that John Rutledge, who had previously served as an associate justice from February 15, 1790 until March 5, 1791, was given a recess apopntment as Chief Justice by President Washington, which appointment was rejected by the Senate. Pursuant to this recess appointment, he served as Chief Justice from August 12, 1795 until December 15, 1795. I do not know whether this rejection was the first, but that is a good guess.
If John Rutledge’s 125 days of service as Chief Justice is considered separately from his prior service as associate justice, this would appear to be the shortest term of service. If not, then Thomas Johnson’s service from August 6, 1792 until January 16, 1793 is the shortest.
November 19th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Also according to Wikipedia, Salmon Chase is the only justice to have been impeached; he was acquitted after trial in the Senate.
November 20th, 2006 at 10:48 am
Portia, you really shouldn’t machine gun the trivia questions…best to stick to 5 at a time. Answers:
John Rutledge was the first rejected justice. He had a recess appointment as CJ before that(and well before that a confirmed position as associate justice), but his nomination for CJ died in the senate on concerns about his view of the Jay Treaty or his sanity, depending on the source.
Charles Evan Hughes left the Supreme Court to run for President in 1916 and lost. He later came back as CJ, although some have speculated the position was only offered as a courtesy and he was not expected to accept.
Oh, and Samuel Chase was impeached but not convicted. Salmon P. Chase was neither.
November 20th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
William O. Douglas was the longest serving justice–35 1/2 years, I believe. Rhenquist was not far behind. Incredibly, C.J. Marshall is still right up there among the longest serving. Stevens has a shot at the record, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
But let’s hope that Clarence Thomas and John Roberts show the true meaning of longevity.