Promotional Information

John Anthony Maltese sets out to explain how the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominees has arrived at its present point-and he succeeds admirably by interweaving historical and contemporary materials. He demonstrates precisely when and how interest groups became involved in the process and when and how the White House became actively involved in, as he puts it, 'selling' the nominees. I know of no other work that more thoroughly mines the presidential papers and other archival materials, and effectively integrates contemporary scholarship. -- Sheldon Goldman, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Table of Contents

Series Editor's Forward
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. The President Versus the Senate
Chapter 2. In the Beginning
Chapter 3. The Rise of Organized Interests
Chapter 4. Interests Versus Nominees: The Defeat of John J. Parker
Chapter 5. Interests Versus Nominees: The Defeat of Clement Haynsworth
Chapter 6. Speaking Out: Interest Groups, Nominees, and Presidents
Chapter 7. The Institutional Presidency: Strategic Resources and the Supreme Court Selection Process
Chapter 8. The Clinton Appointments and Proposals for Reform
Afterword, 1998
Notes
Index

About the Author

John Anthony Maltese is associate professor of political science at the University of Georgia. His books include Spin Control: The White House Office of Communications and the Management of Presidential News.

Reviews

A careful and concise history, description, and analysis of the modern Supreme Court appointment process... A model of concese and careful scholarship, and I highly recommend it. -- Michael Comiskey Journal of Politics Stands out in its scholarly thoroughness and innovative theory... one of the best books currently available for understanding the contemporary politics of Supreme Court nominations. -- John B. Gates The Law and Politics Book Review A highly informative study of presidential appointments and senatorial confirmation-or rejection-of those nominees to the Supreme Court throughout our history... This book is clearly written, fast paced, and very well documented. It is recommended to all interested to the political gateway to the federal appellate judiciary. Appellate Practice Journal and Update A model of concise and careful scholarship. Journal of Politics