Appeals court appointment shifted from political patronage to ideological screening

Evidence

In more recent years, the emphasis has shifted from patronage to ideology, with presidents nominating on the basis of judicial philosophy, and the Senate confirming or failing to confirm nominees on the same basis. The fact that the last nine appointees to the Supreme Court had all served on federal courts of appeals immediately prior to their selection underscores the importance of who is appointed to these courts. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 471

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to course material on how ideologies and judicial philosophies shape doctrine and decision-making at the circuit level. — connects to: Ideological disputes over abortion ended the ABA’s privileged role in judicial selection — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 474; Ideology has replaced patronage in appeals court selection since recent decades; Appeals court nominee fights show harsh ideological and partisan politics — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 512 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Ideology has replaced patronage in appeals court selection since recent decades #corroborates (0.98)
• Appeals court nominee fights show harsh ideological and partisan politics #expands (0.82) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 512
• Presidents differ sharply in how much ideological screening they apply to judicial nominees #qualifies (0.80) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 493
• Interest groups increasingly influence federal appeals court nominations #expands (0.78) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 514
• Political selection fills the courts with judges holding established partisan views #expands (0.76) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 2571
• Most appeals court judges were politically active in the appointing president’s party #complicates (0.74) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 471
• Senate initiations and presidential involvement in appointments vary by court level #qualifies (0.72) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 650