Until President Obama chooses a successor to Justice John Paul Stevens, I'm going to try to write a diary per day on the possible successors to Justice Stevens.
I hadn't been planning on writing this diary, but this video REALLY stood out for me.
This diary is about Current TARP overseer, Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren on SCOTUS
Look at her reaction to being asked a simple question. She was also asked on Rachel Maddow about the question, and again the same reaction.
Her response that she's "focused on the foreclosure crisis" and saying it's an honor to be nominated means she's more than likely being vetted.
There's a three step process in getting nominated to the Supreme Court. First, there's a group of lawyers who read through the writings of about forty candidates. Nothing much happens here.
The next stage that group of forty gets narrowed down to about 10. Those candidates are told to say it's an honor to be nominated but to not confirm nor deny that they are being vetted for the supreme court. These are more highly vetted. I'd imagine Warren is at this stage.
After that that group is narrowed down to about four, and from their there are the interviews with the President. Because we're only at the second stage, I'm thinking the pick won't come this week or next.
But as to Elizabeth Warren? I'll let Wikipedia do the work for me:
Warren was born and raised in Oklahoma, where she was a state champion debater. She graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in 1970 and received her J.D. in 1976 from Rutgers Law—Newark, where she served as an Editor to the Rutgers Law Review.
She joined Harvard Law School in 1992 as the Robert Braucher Visiting Professor of Commercial Law. Prior to Harvard, she was the William A. Schnader Professor of Commercial Law at University of Pennsylvania School of Law and also taught at the University of Texas School of Law, University of Houston Law Center, University of Michigan and Rutgers Law School.
From 2005-2008, Warren and her law students wrote a blog called Warren Reports, part of Josh Marshall's TPMCafe.
Warren appeared in the documentary film Maxed Out in 2006, has appeared several times on Dr. Phil to talk about money and families, has been a guest on the Daily Show,[3] is interviewed frequently on cable news networks,[4] appears in Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story, and has appeared on the Charlie Rose talk show.[5]
She focuses on the middle class and on economic issues. There's no hot button issues in any of her writings. I'd imagine that were she to be the pick the hearings would focus on economic matters. That would be HORRIBLE for republicans. I honestly don't know how the GOP would oppose her. The Tea Party would be split due to some like of her because of the way she talks and how she takes on even the administration. If chosen, would definitely shake up the court.
There are two downsides, her age (61) and the lack of knowledge as to where she stands on other major issues.
UPDATE: Here's Obama's Statement on what he wants in a nominee:
"While we cannot replace Justice Stevens’ experience or wisdom, I will seek someone in the coming weeks with similar qualities — an independent mind, a record of excellence and integrity, a fierce dedication to the rule of law, and a keen understanding of how the law affects the daily lives of the American people," Obama said. "It will also be someone who, like Justice Stevens, knows that in a democracy, powerful interests must not be allowed to drown out the voices of ordinary citizens."
Tell me that doesn't fit Elizabeth Warren.