In May 1986, Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, stunned then President Ronald Regan by announcing his desire to retire at the end of the current session. This news gave President Reagan a chance few presidents obtain, the opportunity to appoint the sixteenth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Regan looked to William H. Rehnquist, who was a current associate justice. Rehnquist, like Chief Justice Burger was an appointee of President Richard Nixon. When the senate approved Justice Rehnquist appointment to chief justice it left a junior associate seat open. There were two leading contenders, Robert Bork and Antonin Scalia (Stabb 24). President Regan decided to appoint Scalia. There has been some debate …show more content…
He certainly accomplished that feat when he appointed Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman, to the Supreme Court. While, Regan’s personal desires to appoint unique judges who had the ability to bring something new to the court were important; perhaps the main reason he chose Scalia is because of his well known charm. In fact, his charm was so well noted that many commentators noted his personality alone would be able to sway the court to his point of view (Kelley). Undoubtedly, he was selected because of his impeccable credentials. Scalia had a long and distinguished career both in government and private practice. Perhaps, it was his illustrious career and charm that lead to the surprising amount of criticism of his appointment. Which is to say there really wasn’t any. The Senate Judiciary Committee, had one member in particular who stated the hearings were dull. That member was, now Vice President Joe Biden, who at one point practically bated Scalia by encouraging him to “let yourself go” (Stabb 24). In true to self form, Scalia ignored then Senator Biden and continued