The Confirmation Mess: Cleaning Up The Federal Appointments Process - Softcover

Carter, Stephen L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0465013651 ISBN 13: 9780465013654

Publisher: Basic Books, 1995

Synopsis

Stephen L. Carter tells what's wrong with our confirmation process, explains how it got that way, and suggests what we can do to fix it. Using the most recent confirmation battles as examples, Carter argues that our confirmation process will continue to be bloody until we develop a more balanced attitude toward public service and the Supreme Court by coming to recognize that human beings have flaws, commit sins, and can be redeemed.

About this title

Review:

This book, Stephen L. Carter writes, "is about the difference between arguing the merits of a proposed appointment and turning the public debate into the intellectual equivalent of a barroom brawl." He does not take sides; he finds what happened to Robert Bork as distasteful as what happened to Lani Guinier. And, with a flair for sophisticated arguments couched in plain language evident throughout his work, he argues that the only way things will get better is if the American people redefine their attitude to public service, envisioning it as a job for those competent to perform it rather than a bonus to be handed out to those who have earned favor with ruling parties.

From the Publisher:

The provocative author of The Culture of Disbelief and Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby sheds new light on the process that brought us such public spectacles as the Clarence Thomas hearings and the Lani Guinier fiasco.

About this edition

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0465013651
• ISBN 13: 9780465013654
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272