Justice Sandra Day O’Connor talks about being nominated and confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor talks about meeting with President Reagan and the nomination process ahead of her confirmation to the Supreme Court. Sandra Day O’Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate 99 to 0. She retired from the Court January 31, 2006.
Description
These three video clips highlight the selection process, nomination, confirmation, and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman elected to the Court. Sandra Day O’Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate 99 to 0. She retired from the Court January 31, 2006.
Bell Ringer Assignment
- CLIP 1 - AP U.S. Government FRQ Practice: Identify the formal power of the president as it relates to the Supreme Court as shown in this clip.
- CLIP 1 - AP U.S. Government FRQ Practice: Describe how the power identified in (1) can pose a political risk to the president.
- CLIP 1 - AP U.S. Government FRQ Practice: Explain the degree to which gender is a factor in the process as described by Justice O’Connor.
- CLIP 2 - Why are the Supreme Court justices not very visible to the public?
- CLIP 2 - How do presidents benefit when the media get access to the swearing-in ceremony of a supreme court justice?
- CLIP 2 - What is the impact on the Reagan administration by pursuing a female candidate for a seat at the highest court in the country?
- CLIP 3 - Joan Biskupic described Justice O’Connor as “a politician on the court.” What does she mean by that?
- CLIP 3 - Why does “counting votes” matter on the Supreme Court?
- CLIP 3 - Why does it matter which justices writes the majority opinion?
Additional Resources
Participants
Vocabulary
- Confirmation Process
- Nomination
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Supreme Court