Smith introduces a new concept, critical judicial nominations, to advance scholars' understanding of the consequences of the federal nomination process for the Supreme Court and the American political system. The study suggests that specific events related to the judicial branch, namely critical judicial nominations, have significant unanticipated consequences for the Supreme Court's role in the political system, as well as for electoral politics. This is demonstrated in illustrative historical examples which, most importantly, include an in-depth case study of the Clarence Thomas nomination and its subsequent ramifications.

Book Information
ISBN 9780275945671
Author Christopher E. Smith
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Praeger Publishers Inc
Publisher ABC-CLIO