Word: connorism
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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After the days of public celebration, the induction of the newest Justice began in private with an absence of pomp. In the court's conference room, before the President and Nancy Reagan, her fellow Brethren, retiring Justice Potter Stewart, and her sons, O'Connor placed her right hand on two O'Connor family Bibles held by her husband John. She repeated the judicial oath to "do equal right to the poor and to the rich...
...pomp followed. O'Connor was escorted to the ornate marble-and-mahogany courtroom. While 500 invited guests looked on, she was seated in the chair once occupied by John Marshall, the Chief Justice (1801 -1835) who introduced the principle of judicial review of executive and legislative acts, establishing the court's authority in the fledgling nation. The bailiff cried the traditional "oyez, oyez," and the eight Justices stood silently behind the wooden bench. O'Connor then took a second oath ("I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States...
...Connor took up the burdens of her new job immediately. She had been closeted in an office in the Senate for days boning up for the cases likely to come before her. She also hired four law clerks, three of whom had been promised jobs by Justice Stewart, whose retirement had opened a spot on the court...
Earlier in the week, O'Connor mused that "Thomas Jefferson and James Madison would be turning over in their graves." Who can be sure? But there is little doubt that those founding fathers would marvel at the ease, graciousness and widespread public approval with which this particular Justice has become a precedent. -By Richard Stengel...
...vote would have been a perfect 100 to 0, but Democrat Max Baucus of Montana, an ardent O'Connor supporter, had to return to his home state just before the vote...