January 14, 2009
Posted: January 14th, 2009 12:25 PM ET
The incoming president and vice president will meet with the Supreme Court Wednesday.
The incoming president and vice president will meet with the Supreme Court Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Continuing a growing tradition between incoming chief executives and the chief justice of the highest court in the land, President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will visit the Supreme Court Wednesday afternoon.

The two will visit the high court in response to an invitation from Chief Justice John Roberts, who noted in a December 5 letter to Obama, a former constitutional law professor, that previous presidents-elect had visited the
Supreme Court before taking office as a courtesy "so that colleagues in public
service might become better acquainted."

"The Associate Justices and I would be pleased to see that sporadic practice become a congenial tradition," said Roberts. "You will receive a warm welcome."

Both Obama and Biden - while serving in the Senate - voted against Roberts as chief justice in 2005 and Justice Samuel Alito in early 2006.

Roberts will administer the presidential oath of office to Obama on January 20. Justice John Paul Stevens - the oldest member of the high court - will administer the vice presidential oath to Biden.

This is the third time in recent history, according to the Obama transition team, that a president-elect and vice president-elect have visited the Supreme Court. Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush visited the high court in November 1980. Bill Clinton and Al Gore visited the court in December 1992.

The previous meetings, however, were held at the suggestion of the incoming president. Roberts' personal invitation represents a change in that precedent.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Joe Biden • Obama transition • Supreme Court


Ravi in MO   January 14th, 2009 5:18 pm ET

waleed: Israel has every right to defend itself against terrorist thugs who consider Israel to be "their" land. Those thugs STOLE it from Israel 1000 years ago, and Israel simply took back what was theirs. Those who do not support Israel have no room to talk about injustice or hate.

Mike Seebeck   January 14th, 2009 5:04 pm ET

So will Obama be bringing his birth certificate along as well? He should!

Matt   January 14th, 2009 4:27 pm ET

Should be interesting to watch the Supreme Court the next 4 years. We've finally got a president who knows the law and understands the Constitution instead of one who thinks he can make judicial appointments that will allow him to rewrite it.

Matt   January 14th, 2009 4:26 pm ET

@ waleed

Good luck with that. I'm sure the 5 minutes it takes for a judge to read and grant the Motion to Dismiss will be well worth the filing fees you pay.

Steve   January 14th, 2009 4:07 pm ET

Waleed,

The crimes commited against the people of Gaza are being committed by the cowards who fire rockets from schools, mosques, and behind women and children!

Amber,

Proof, please!

Amber   January 14th, 2009 3:49 pm ET

Alito is an illegitimate appointment by an illegitimate president.

waleed. NC   January 14th, 2009 3:46 pm ET

speaking of the supreme court, if Obama support this human atrocities and war crimes against the people of Gaza ' and call it self-defense?
the country will learn my name soon' and it will be the first case if its kind ' when I file a law suit to Have my Vote for Obama Discounted

boered1   January 14th, 2009 3:37 pm ET

Gotta love it Roberts is sucking up to them already he knows that he will be held to the standard of the law and that none of the radical religious right crap will be allowed to flow out of the court

idiots

(okay I know that is a streatch but I think Roberts is the wrong amn for the job, luckily Obama will be able to replace a few members and get good strong people on there to override the bush appointments)

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@edhenrycnn: My colleague Dan Lothian and I show what's it's like on the road with the President - http://bit.ly/7XSU53 #cnn
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:09:21 -0800
hambypCNN: Big game for the Hoyas tonight against Butler @ 7PM. @moelleithee, @mikemadden and @karentravers will be watching, and you should too.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:04:26 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: DNC's Tim Kaine debates RNC's Michael Steele today 6 PM Eastern in SitRoom. They disagree on how to create jobs and reform health care.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:14:20 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Britain's ambassador to US, comes into SitRoom today. Afghanistan, Iraq on the agenda. Are two allies on same page?
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:49:31 -0800
@CNNPolitics: RT @@psteinhauserCNN: New CNN Poll: Optimism on economy fading? - http://bit.ly/5saSOJ
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:31:47 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP