Supreme Court Justice Bill Clinton?
WASHINGTON (CNN) - It is a title that would be sure to bring either fear or cheer to many Americans, depending on your political leanings: Supreme Court Justice Bill Clinton.
That provocative possibility has long been whispered in legal and political circles ever since Sen. Hillary Clinton became a viable candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. Now a respected conservative law professor has openly predicted a future President Clinton would name her husband to the high court if a vacancy occurred.
Pepperdine Law School's Douglas Kmiec said, "The former president would be intrigued by court service and many would cheer him on."
Kmiec worked in the Reagan and Bush 41 White Houses as a top lawyer, but said he has no personal or political "disdain" for Bill Clinton.
CNN talked with several political and legal analysts of both ideological stripes, and while several laughed at the possibility, none would rule it out completely. And all those who spoke did so on background only.
There is precedent for such a nomination: William Howard Taft, who called his time as chief justice, from 1921 to 1930, the most rewarding of his career. He was president from 1909 to 1913.
As one Democratic political analyst said, "You may recall recent trial balloons that Mr. Clinton was perhaps interested in becoming U.N. secretary-general. If he is grasping for a similarly large stage to fill his ambitions and ego, what better place than the nation's highest court, where could serve for life if he wanted?"
But a conservative lawyer who argues regularly before the high court noted Chief Justice John Roberts is fully entrenched in his position, and that might be the only high court spot Clinton would want. He also might not enjoy the relative self-imposed anonymity the justices rely on to do their jobs free of political and public pressures.
"Court arguments are not televised, and most justices shy away from publicity as a matter of respect for the court's integrity," said this lawyer. "Could Justice Clinton follow their example?"
Politics, however, may trump family ties. Perhaps three justices or more could retire in the next four to eight years, among them some of the more liberal members of the bench. The new president might face competing pressures to name a woman, a minority - especially a Hispanic or an Asian-American - and a younger judge or lawyer to fill any vacancies, three qualifications a white male in his 60s like Clinton would not have.
"This particular idea has zero chance of coming true," said Thomas Goldstein, a top appellate attorney who writes on his popular Web site, scotusblog.com.
The more immediate effect of such talk might be more practical: it could help motivate conservative voters in an election year to ensure no Clinton ever reaches the White House or the Supreme Court anytime soon.
- CNN's Bill Mears
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Wow. This might seal her loss in Iowa.
Wasn't BiIl Clinton disbarred ? Why would anyone think a lawyer who has been disbarred be a good choice for Supreme Court Justice?
Can you nominate someone who has been disbarred to the supreme court?
wow, I smell a rat already!
Does this mean something to us. If these elections get rigged I am moving to canada!
The only reason this story is out right now is a last ditch effort to sway voters not to vote for Hillary. CNN.com has lost all credibility. You might as well call this website, TMZ.com.
Hillary or any Dem in 08!
If it happens, Bill Clinton would have the last laugh on Ken Starr....
Yes, yes. Bill Clinton for the Supreme Court.
wow, this is frightening stuff! This has started to rise my blood temp. Is this a hint to something wrong waiting to happen? 'ope not!
Please... Didn't Bill LIE in front of congress?
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman." -Bill Clinton
Small lie or not, I would not want a main who could have been charged with federal perjury and was nearly completely impeached out of office a decade ago to be in th supreme court someday.
Hillary is a true politician. She knew back then that if she ever wanted to run for office, she would have to stay with Bill to use his name and political power. That's my guess as to why she didn't leave him after so many sex-scandals in his days in the White House and before. She is nothing, and could never do it all by herself.
I hope she gets canned in these primaries and caucuses.
why not
hey democrats sure way to get back the supreme court that is in jeopardy by the right wing conservatives.
hey democats more the reason to vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton as she can win the general election.
I hope people's efforts are not going to be turned in a mighty suprime court fight if that is what CNN is telling us here. It isn't just right!
I cannot believe this was even posted, it smacks of a Rove instigated whisper campaign meant to scare conservatives back into towing the republican line. This is not news, this is rumor and speculation and had no business here.
This is just another conservative trying to scare voters about Hillary. "Oooh - don't vote for Hillary or Bill will be on the Supreme Court." Well, maybe, and maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing - but the motivation here is clear: another Republican fear tactic.
I could think of no better legacy for Hillary than to appoint a man impeached from the White House for immorality and lying to the American people ("I did not have sexual relations with that woman") to be appointed a Supreme Court justice.
Didn't Bill turn in his law license in connection with the scandals of his administration? I can't imagine anyone trying to nominate a disbarred lawyer to the Supreme Court.
Great, that's all we need – A Clinton in a govt. office without term limits. But didn't he get disbarred? But its good to know that Hillary will never win the election.
If it were to happen, it would be the "In Your Face!" of the century. After having his law license suspended to practice in front of the Supreme Court, Bill gets a seat on it.
How very pathetic if this were to play out. Sorry folks, but if Mrs. Clinton wins we'll have one of their faces plastered on the tv sets for years to come. You get what you vote for.
Pepperdine? Hmm isn't that were Ken Starr teaches?
Is this not the same man that lied to a Grand Jury to cover his Butt? Is this not the same man that gave a pardon to one of the most notorious scam artists in existence? Is this not the same man that lied to the American people on National TV? Is this not the same man that was a disaster as President?
Please.... Bill should be in jail, not on the bench.
As an attorney, am I the only one bothered that they would even consider a disbarred attorney for the Supreme Court? What's next...Brittany Spears as the head of Children Services?
If this happens I give up. This guy was effectively impeched for White Water and lyiing to a federal grand jury. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court???? He should be disbarred, not rewarded. Talk about hypocrisy.
Hahahahahahaha, is this for real?
Yeah, that's just what we need. A disbarred lawyer in control of the law who married a woman who became President after failing the bar exam in her first attempt. Stupid is as stupid does.
Rather than facts, you print suppositions. Is this fair?