Category Archives: Supreme Court

“The face of American political corruption might be about to change”

April 29, 2016, 7:40 ambribery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

CS Monitor: That makes the Supreme Court case, to be decided later this spring, a crucial test: Where, exactly, does the nation’s highest court want to set the bar for what is corruption and what is not? Comments from the… Continue reading

White House Goes “9-9-9” for Garland

April 29, 2016, 7:20 amSupreme CourtRick Hasen

At this point, though, I think things get serious with a Garland nomination only when it is clear Trump will lose and Republicans will lose control of the Senate.

“There’s No Such Thing as a Free Rolex”

April 29, 2016, 7:17 ambribery, campaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Zephyr Teachout NYT oped: In its Citizens United ruling, the court gutted campaign finance laws. It acknowledged that American politics faced the threat of gift-givers and donors trying to corrupt the system, but it held that campaign finance laws… Continue reading

“Prosecutors ask U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Doe decision”

April 28, 2016, 10:54 amcampaign finance, judicial elections, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a decision by Wisconsin’s high court to shut down an investigation of Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign and conservative groups backing him. Chisholm and… Continue reading

“Argument analysis: A good day for the governor?”

April 28, 2016, 8:13 ambribery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Amy Howe blogs at … Howe on the Court.

“Constitution Check: Can the Supreme Court compromise on corruption?”

April 28, 2016, 8:08 ambribery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Lyle Denniston on the McDonnell oral argument.

“Justices Lean Toward Bob McDonnell, Ex-Virginia Governor, in Corruption Case”

April 27, 2016, 5:19 pmbribery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Adam Liptak for the NYT.

Federalist Society Podcast on McDonnell Oral Argument

April 27, 2016, 3:40 pmbribery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Listen.

“Roberts Singles Out Former White House Counsel for ‘Extraordinary’ Brief'”

April 27, 2016, 3:32 pmbribery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Marcia Coyle for NLJ: Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. on Wednesday singled out an amicus brief, filed by Democratic and Republican former White House counsel, in support of former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell. “I think it’s extraordinary that those people… Continue reading

Some Thoughts on Today’s Oral Argument in Gov. McDonnell Case: It’s Not If the Governor Wins on Appeal, But How, That Matters

April 27, 2016, 10:11 ambribery, chicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

The Supreme Court has posted the transcript of today’s oral argument in the Gov. McDonnell case. Bob Barnes (who is all over this story) says the Justices were “highly skeptical” of McDonnell’s conviction. I agree that a reversal seems likely. … Continue reading

“Gifts and politics: Supreme Court hears sides in former Virginia governor’s case”

April 27, 2016, 7:39 ambribery, campaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Bob Barnes on the McDonnell oral argument, happening now.

“Is Citizens United a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card for Bob McDonnell? The U.S. Supreme Court Will Decide”

April 26, 2016, 5:58 pmbribery, campaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Brendan Fischer: It is a common refrain that cases like Citizens United allow for “legalized bribery.” But few argue that the U.S. Supreme Court has literally legalized pay–to-play politics; such descriptions are usually shorthand for the systemic ways that big… Continue reading

“The McDonnell Case: Corruption as ‘Ordinary Politics’”

April 26, 2016, 10:30 ambribery, campaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Daniel Weiner for HuffPo: The truth is that McDonnell’s case is not an easy one even for many committed advocates of political reform. One can wholeheartedly reject the suggestion that his actions were nothing more than “ordinary politics” entitled to… Continue reading

DC Circuit Panel, with Garland Recused, Queues Up New Campaign Finance Challenge for En Banc Review

April 26, 2016, 10:13 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Today Judges Randolph and Henderson, with Garland not participating, held that a trial court erred in refusing to certify for en banc DC Circuit review a challenge to federal election law’s limits on how much an individual may contribute “per… Continue reading