QUESTIONS:
1. There has been considerable speculation that if Chief Justice William Rehnquist steps down, the President may well make a recess appointment to replace him, rather than risk a prolonged confirmation battle in the Senate. Who was the last chief justice to take office as a recess appointee?
2. Presidential nominees to the Supreme Court traditionally go before the Senate Judiciary Committee. What justice was the first high court nominee to testify before the committee prior a confirmation vote by the full Senate?
3. There has been talk that the President will name to a Supreme Court vacancy attorney Miguel Estrada, whom Senate Democrats stopped from a confirmation vote when he was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Who was the last justice to go directly from private practice to the Supreme Court?
4. Former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olsen has been mentioned as a prospective Supreme Court nominee. Who was the last solicitor general appointed to the Supreme Court?
5. Justice Clarence M. Thomas has been mentioned as a prospective successor to Chief Justice Rehnquist. Who was the last associate justice to be moved up to chief justice?
ANSWERS:
1. Earl Warren, named as chief justice by recess appointment in 1953 following the death of Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson.
2. Felix Frankfurter, who first appeared for questioning about past writings on Jan. 12, 1939.
3. Abe Fortas, partner in the Arnold and Porter firm and President Johnson??¢â???¬â???¢s personal attorney, who was named to the bench by LBJ in 1965.
4. Robert H. Bork, solicitor general from 1968-76, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Reagan in 1987 but was denied confirmation by the Senate.
5. Rehnquist, an associate justice since 1971, who was named chief justice by President Reagan in 1987.
