Sunday February 12, 2012

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RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioJudicial Nominations and Confirmations after Three Years—Where Do Things Stand?

Russell Wheeler, January 13, 2012, The Brookings Institution

Judicial Nominations and Confirmations after Three Years—Where Do Things Stand?Russell Wheeler examines judicial nominations and Senate confirmation during the Obama administration’s first three years. Wheeler writes that while the pace of nominations and confirmations has increased, President Obama’s appointment of district judges does not match the rate of his two predecessors, leading to an increase in district court vacancies. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioIs President Obama Playing Fair? Examining Richard Cordray's Recess Appointment

Sarah A. Binder, January 04, 2012, The Monkey Cage

Is President Obama Playing Fair? Examining Richard Cordray's Recess AppointmentAs President Obama gives a recess appointment to Richard Cordray to serve as director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Republicans argue that the action threatens the confirmation process. Sarah Binder examines the appointment, and argues that despite Republican objections, it seems to be a valid use of executive power. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioNew Federal Government CIO is Key to Improving Government Performance

Darrell M. West, August 09, 2011, The Brookings Institution

New Federal Government CIO is Key to Improving Government Performance Darrell M. West discusses the appointment of Steven VanRoekel as federal chief information officer, arguing that VanRoekel should continue his predecessor's work and encourage federal agencies to use technology to cut costs and increase innovation. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioIncreased Efficiency for Senate Confirmation of Presidential Appointments

William A. Galston, July 07, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Increased Efficiency for Senate Confirmation of Presidential AppointmentsThis June, the Senate voted on the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011, a bill that will end the need for Senate confirmation on many positions and simplify the process for the rest. William Galston discusses how the bill was passed despite current tensions between parties, and details how it will help ensure necessary administration positions are not only filled, but are filled by the most qualified people. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDo Judicial Emergencies Matter? Nomination and Confirmation Delay during the 111th Congress

Russell Wheeler and Sarah A. Binder, February 16, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Do Judicial Emergencies Matter? Nomination and Confirmation Delay during the 111th Congress Russell Wheeler and Sarah Binder examine the impact of the rise of judicial “emergency districts” and “emergency vacancies” on patterns of nominations and confirmations in the most recent Congress (2009-2010). Despite the judiciary’s effort to flag this emerging crisis, there is limited evidence that the White House or the Senate have done much to confront the problem, write Wheeler and Binder. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioConfirming Evidence: The Breakdown in Advice and Consent

Sarah A. Binder, January 04, 2011, The Monkey Cage

Confirming Evidence: The Breakdown in Advice and ConsentChief Justice John Roberts' State of the Judiciary report released last week raises the specter of partisan gridlock over the selection of federal judges, writes Sarah Binder. Given that Republicans argue that too many of Obama's nominees are unfit ideologically for the bench and Democrats argue that Republicans are exploiting the rules for political gain, the chief justice is clearly correct: No party is innocent in the struggle to shape the ideological makeup of the bench. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioJudicial Nominations and Confirmations in the 111th Senate and What to Look For in the 112th

Russell Wheeler, January 04, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Judicial Nominations and Confirmations in the 111th Senate and What to Look For in the 112th Complaints in the first two years of the Obama administration about the paucity and slow pace of nominations and confirmations recalled similar complaints over the last 18 years, writes Russell Wheeler. In a comparison between President Obama’s first two years with the past two administrations, Wheeler finds that Obama essentially matched Bush, but not Clinton, on court of appeals confirmations, had a slightly greater effect in changing the party-of-appointing president balance on the courts of appeal, and his appointees included fewer white males and members of the private bar. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioA Half-Empty Government Can't Govern: Why Everyone Wants to Fix the Appointments Process

E.J. Dionne, Jr. and William A. Galston, December 14, 2010, The Brookings Institution

A Half-Empty Government Can't Govern: Why Everyone Wants to Fix the Appointments ProcessThe U.S. Senate has failed to approve comprehensive reform of the filibuster, a practice that allows a minority - 40 Senators - to block action on nominations and presidential appointments. But Senators of both parties are now pushing for reforms to streamline the confirmation process - by reducing the number of appointments requiring confirmation and limiting anonymous holds. William Galston and E.J. Dionne survey a number of Senate reforms and suggest how incremental progress might be made. Read More

BOOK

Save to My PortfolioAdvice and Dissent: The Struggle to Shape the Federal Judiciary

Forrest Maltzman and Sarah A. Binder, September 15, 2009

Advice and Dissent explores the state of the nation's federal judicial selection system -- a process beset by deepening partisan polarization, obstructionism, and deterioration of the practice of advice and consent. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Changing Face of the Federal Judiciary

Russell Wheeler, August 2009, The Brookings Institution

The Changing Face of the Federal JudiciaryWith Justice Sonia Sotomayer confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court and President Obama set to fill a number of lower court vacancies, there is renewed attention on the demographic makeup of the U.S. judiciary. Russell Wheeler examines federal judicial demographic data from the Eisenhower administration to today. He concludes that while the face of the judiciary has markedly changed over the last 30 years, it hardly mirrors the general population. Read More

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioWill Judge Sonia Sotomayor be Confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice?

Russell Wheeler, May 26, 2009

Russell Wheeler says there is no doubt that U.S. Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor will be confirmed to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court. The real question is whether she will be confirmed by the October start of the court.

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioPresident Obama's Court Nominations

Russell Wheeler, March 20, 2009

Russell Wheeler says President Obama’s nomination of David Hamilton to serve on the appellate court was a thoughtful choice but will still draw criticism.

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioHow Might the Obama Administration Affect the Composition of the U. S. Courts of Appeals?

Russell Wheeler, March 18, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Following the announcement of President Obama’s first judicial nomination, Russell Wheeler offers clues to how President Obama might affect the composition of the United States Courts of Appeals. A reasonable estimate is that the proportion of Republican appointees could drop from 56 percent to 43 percent; Democratic appointees could rise from 36 percent to 57 percent. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Next National Security Adviser

Ivo H. Daalder and I. M. Destler, January/February 2009, Foreign Affairs

The Next National Security AdviserOne of the most important figures in Obama's administration will be his national security adviser. Ivo Daalder and I.M. Destler examine previous national security advisers to use lessons from the past on how to do the job right or wrong. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioMemorandum to the Next National Security Advisor

Ivo H. Daalder and Mac Destler , Winter 2009, The American Interest

Ivo Daalder and Mac Destler give the next national security advisor (NSA) advice on how to manage a heavy workload and prioritize tasks that only the NSA is in position to perform. They argue that trust and confidence in colleagues, building cooperation and getting close to the president are all important aspects of the job. Read More

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What new practices and mechanisms will help prevent another economic downturn from turning into a financial panic that could become a truly global meltdown? What changes in the public and private sectors will build the workforce and infrastructure required for a global information-based economy?

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Donald KohnExpertDonald Kohn

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