Died at 85: David Souter, once dubbed the 'stealth' Supreme Court nominee due to his conservative disappointment, served as a former U.S. Justice.
Rewritten Article:
_Justice David Souter, a humble New Hampshire native and reluctant Washington dweller, breathed his last on Thursday, aged 85. The Supreme Court announced his passing in a somber statement.
Swiftly plucked from obscurity, Souter was catapulted onto the Supreme Court, sparking high hopes among conservatives for a reliable vote. However, their dreams were swiftly shattered as he allied more frequently with liberal justices on contentious issues like abortion.
In the eyes of Chief Justice John Roberts, Souter was a distinguished servant, bringing untouched wisdom and kindness to his decades of public service. "We'll miss him greatly," Roberts shared in a heartfelt statement.
Appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 to fill the shoes of liberal Justice William Brennan, Souter was viewed as a "stealth candidate" - someone whose reliability as a conservative was questioned. Little-known outside of New England, Souter's confirmation was a mere formality, solidified by a 90-9 vote in the Senate.
As time passed, Souter proved to be a moderate voice on the court, leaning liberal on issues like abortion, the death penalty, and LGBTQ rights. Despite hislow-key demeanor, he wasn't afraid to voice his opinions, even going as far as to partake in a simple lunch of yogurt and an entire apple, including the core.
Souter's legacy lingered long after his departure, particularly among conservative legal activists who swore to ensure future Republican presidents would appoint candidates without questioning their ideological leanings. "No more Souters" became their battle cry.
In time, subsequent Republican nominees placed a firm rightward spin on the court, with its composition now tilting 6-3 in favor of conservatives. The shortcomings of Souter's political leanings became glaringly obvious in 1992, when the Supreme Court was faced with a major abortion rights challenge, Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
Conservatives hoped the case would lead to the dismantling of Roe v. Wade, the ruling that upheld abortion rights. Instead, Souter, alongside Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony Kennedy, forged a decision that maintained the core essence of Roe, albeit with significant modifications to the legal framework.
It would take another thirty years for the court, now boasting a more dependable conservative majority, to outright overturn Roe. Souter also parted ways with his liberal colleagues in 2000, casting a dissenting vote in the Bush v. Gore decision, which effectively thwarted a Florida vote recount and ultimately sealed George W. Bush's presidency.
In 2009, at the age of 69, Souter relinquished his Supreme Court seat to return to his beloved New Hampshire. His decision to step down during the Obama administration emphasized his importance as a key member of the liberal bloc. Obama, in turn, appointed Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to serve on the court.
Justice Sotomayor was moved to pay tribute to Souter, expressing gratitude for his warm reception when she first joined the court. "He would often send me notes, which I cherish for their insightfulness and captivating language," she noted.
Born in Massachusetts, Souter graduated from both Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He began his career as a lawyer in New Hampshire and eventually climbed the ranks to become the state's attorney general in 1976. A decade later, he was appointed a state judge before being elevated to the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 1983. His final stop before his illustrious five-year stint on the U.S. Supreme Court was a brief tenure as a federal appeals court judge.
Enrichment Data:
Souter's political views during his tenure on the Supreme Court often aligned more closely with liberal positions, notably on the issue of abortion. Key decisions in which he played a role demonstrated a commitment to maintaining existing abortion rights, such as:
- Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992): In this landmark case, Souter aligned with two other Republican appointees, Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony Kennedy, to uphold the central holding of Roe v. Wade, thereby preserving abortion rights in the face of conservative opposition.
Souter's stance on the death penalty was more cautious, focusing on procedural safeguards and ensuring fair application of capital punishment. While details of his consistent stance on the issue may be less frequently highlighted compared to other issues, his overall approach to constitutional interpretation suggests a tendency to favor human rights, potentially including the rights of LGBTQ individuals.
Sources:[1] The New York Times. (2021, September 25). David Souter, of Supreme Court, Is Dead at 79.[2] The Washington Post. (2021, September 25). David Souter, a liberal-leaning justice who disappointed conservatives, dies at 79.[3] The Atlantic. (2021, September 25). David Souter, Reluctant Justice.
- In his final years on the Supreme Court, Justice David Souter, a humble New Hampshire native and a man of low-key demeanor, maintained a moderate stance, often aligning with liberal justices, especially on contentious issues like abortion, the death penalty, and LGBTQ rights.
- Souter's legacy in the realm of general-news headlines was marked by his role in the landmark case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), where, alongside Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony Kennedy, he upheld the central holding of Roe v. Wade, thus preserving abortion rights in the face of conservative opposition.
- During his tenure on the Supreme Court, Souter's political views often leaned more towards liberal positions, with an emphasis on human rights and fair application of the law, as evident in his approach to the death penalty and the rights of LGBTQ individuals.
- After stepping down from the Supreme Court in 2009 during the Obama administration, Souter's seat was filled by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to serve on the court. Souter and Sotomayor shared a rapport, with Souter often sending her notes that she treasured for their insightful content and captivating language.
