FixingThe Next SCOTUS

Hillary, Bernie and the Future of the Court:

...To be sure, there are real and important differences between Sanders and Clinton. But no matter which Democrat wins the nomination, if she or he loses in November then much that is dear to their supporters will take a beating -- environmental protection, pay equity, gun control, voting rights, women's rights, combating money in politics and, yes, whatever chance exists to curb the excesses of Wall Street. And there is one forum where virtually all of these issues are certain to play out, for good or ill: the Supreme Court.

With Scalia's passing the Court is now in equipoise -- four justices appointed by Republicans, four by Democrats. Hanging in the balance is the legal future of core issues like affirmative action, union rights, reproductive freedom, and environmental protection. Even if Barack Obama sends a nominee to the Senate, Mitch McConnell has pledged to block a vote. Thus the course of the court -- and, in many ways, the fate of progressive values -- depends on this election...