Seeking Justices - by Michael Comiskey (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In the long shadows cast by the Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas nominations, Supreme Court confirmations remain highly contentious and controversial. This is due in part to the Senate's increasing reliance upon a much lengthier, much more public, and occasionally raucous confirmation process--in an effort to curb the potential excesses of executive power created by presidents seeking greater control over the Court's ideological composition. Michael Comiskey offers the most comprehensive, systematic, and optimistic analysis of that process to date.

Arguing that the process works well and therefore should not be significantly altered, Comiskey convincingly counters those critics who view highly contentious confirmation proceedings as the norm. Senators have every right and a real obligation, he contends, to scrutinize the nominees' constitutional philosophies. He further argues that the media coverage of the Senate's deliberations has worked to improve the level of such scrutiny and that recent presidents have neither exerted excessive influence on the appointment process nor created a politically extreme Court. He also examines the ongoing concern over presidential efforts to pack the court, concluding that stacking the ideological deck is unlikely.

As an exception to the rule, Comiskey analyzes in depth the Thomas confirmation to explain why it was an aberration, offering the most detailed account yet of Thomas's pre-judicial professional and political activities. He argues that the Senate Judiciary Committee abdicated its responsibilities out of deference to Thomas's race.

Another of the book's unique features is Comiskey's reassessment of the reputations of twentieth-century Supreme Court justices. Based on a survey of nearly 300 scholars in constitutional law and politics, it shows that the modern confirmation process continues to fill Court vacancies with jurists as capable as those of earlier eras.

We have now seen the longest period without a turnover on the Court since the early nineteenth century, making inevitable the appointment of several new justices following the 2004 presidential election. Thus, the timing of the publication of Seeking Justices could not be more propitious.

Review Quotes

"A lively and well-informed discussion of the confirmation process, particularly as it relates to the latter half of the twentieth century. . . . This book will do much to enrich our understanding of the confirmation process, and it will enliven debate for years to come about what criteria the Senate should emphasize when selecting justices of the Supreme Court."--H-Net Reviews

"The topic could hardly be timelier. . . . Despite the rancor surrounding recent judicial appointments, Comiskey defends the modern confirmation process. Not only have critics exaggerated its contentiousness, but also he argues that the process works well, producing capable jurists and a needed arena for discussing important constitutional and legal issues. . . . Comiskey has provided a thorough and systematic account of the modern confirmation process and the debates surrounding it. His analysis is thoughtful and provocative. He successfully rebuts many of the criticisms of the modern process. He also argues persuasively that it has led to a more robust constitutional dialogue and the appointment of able justices, while avoiding the appointment of extremists."--The Historian

"A very good critique of the arguments forwarded by the legal and political schools about a possible broken confirmation process. . . . I commend Seeking Justices to anyone interested in learning about the ins and outs of the confirmation process."--Perspectives on Politics

"While no one will agree with all of Comiskey's conclusions, there is no doubt that his book will inform the debate on the confirmation of Supreme Court nominations for years to come."--Political Science Quarterly

"A deeply informative discussion of the modern confirmation process. It is also easily accessible to undergraduate students, and should work well in a course on the judiciary."--Law and Politics Book Review

"A thoughtful perspective on how the process has worked in recent years . . . useful for courses on the presidency."--Choice

"A substantial contribution."--Perspectives on Political Science

"Comiskey adds to the extant scholarly literature on the subject by organizing and then deconstructing the arguments so that attentive publics may more fully appreciate the full contours of the debate. This book is a solid contribution to our collective knowledge."--Judicature

"A timely and important analysis that will interest all concerned with how and why the confirmation process has been transformed by federal judgeships becoming symbols and instruments of presidential power and by the increasing polarization of American politics."--David M. O'Brien, author of Storm Center: The Supreme Court in American Politics

"The most thoroughgoing analysis of the confirmation process in the post-Bork era. A stunning exposition of and refreshing counterpoint to 'legalist' and 'political' arguments."--Tinsley Yarbrough, author of The Rehnquist Court and the Constitution

"An important book on a vitally important subject."--Sheldon Goldman, author of Picking Federal Judges