Douglas Kmiec Quotes

I had the distinct impression he didn't think it was a good idea. There was a real risk of the proposal reducing the intended role of the Supreme Court as the final voice.

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William H. Rehnquist is by nature quiet and humble. His legacy is that he has shown us how to disagree with civility.

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This case is important to law schools [some of which initiated the legal challenge] and, because it is, a lot of people will pay attention. This is a tug of war between Congress and the people who receive its money.

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It makes almost no sense to come into a department and ignore the people who have the most experience. And, it's a sure recipe for disaster because it will build up resentment from people who have made the department of justice their life's work and it will make it less possible for the president to get his policies implemented

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I think what happens in this process is there is an initial search and so much work is required to satisfy the competing constituencies that once a list is assembled, few people want to give it up. Some of the names on the list are almost venerable by virtue of age and longevity. There is a certain comfort in going with what you know, but it may not be the best.

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