BOOK
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
Russell Wheeler, August 17, 2009, The Brookings Institution
With 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.
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VIDEO
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
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
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
Ivo H. Daalder and I. M. Destler, December 22, 2008, Foreign Affairs
One 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
Ivo H. Daalder and Mac Destler , December 12, 2008, 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
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen Hess, December 12, 2008, The Brookings Institution
The Washington world is full of talented, accomplished people whose expertise in their fields is unquestioned – yet many fail as cabinet officers at the pinnacle of power. Stephen Hess advises the new president on where to look for cabinet talent. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Robert Puentes, November 13, 2008, The New Republic
In this opinion piece published in the New Republic, Robert Puentes argues that President-elect Obama has a tremendous opportunity to connect infrastructure spending to broad national goals (such as economic competitiveness and environmental sustaianability). In this way the federal stimulus dollars can accelerate the right kind of projects in the right places, creating jobs and waking up related areas of the economy. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Washington, DC
President-elect Barack Obama now faces the daunting challenge of shaping a new administration. On November 12, William Galston moderated a discussion with David Lewis and Kathryn Dunn Tenpas to examine the basis on which presidents pick their political appointees and the impact of their choices on government performance. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen Hess, November 06, 2008, The Washington Post
President-elect Barack Obama will be besieged by proposals to reorganize government. Stephen Hess offers five tips for avoiding political minefields on the way to inauguration day. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen Hess, November 06, 2008, Politico
Stephen Hess offers suggestions to the new president-elect on how to best fill his cabinet. Hess cautions Obama, who will need to fill twice as many jobs than John F. Kennedy did, to factor in diversity as well as political and managerial talent. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Russell Wheeler, October 21, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Brookings expert Russell Wheeler offers clues to how a President McCain or Obama might affect the composition of the United States Supreme Court as well as the courts of appeals. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Russell Wheeler, September 09, 2008, The Miami Herald
Hot-button social topics often dominate voters' views of where presidential candidates stand on judicial appointments. Plus, as in much of U.S. politics, the process of getting judges on the bench has become cantankerous and divided. Russell Wheeler says that the next president should try to work with the Senate to restore civility. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Carole M. Plowfield and Paul C. Light, March 22, 2002, The Presidential Appointee Initiative
Presidential appointees are subject to less competitive relocation policies than those in the private sector reports Paul C. Light and Carole Plowfield in "Problems on the Potomac: How Relocation Policies for Presidential Appointees Can Help Win the Talent War." Read More