Article: Only 4 chief justice nominees fell short

WASHINGTON John Rutledge, George H. Williams, Caleb Cushing, Abe Fortas: What do these four have in common?

The last of the four names may be a tipoff. They were the only individuals in history to be formally nominated to head the Supreme Court who did not win confirmation.

For the 20th time, the process is under way to elevate a citizen to be chief justice of the United States.

William H. Rehnquist, a 1972 appointee of Richard M. Nixon to be an associate justice, goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee today in what promises to be a rancorous hearing on his fitness to succeed Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.

It is generally assumed that Rehnquist's name will be sent to the ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!