No hard feelings for Miguel Estrada, as he sees another Hispanic about to become the first confirmed to the Supreme Court.
George W. Bush nominated Estrada nominated Estrada to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2001 — widely viewed as a precursor to a Supreme Court nomination — but Senate Democrats filibustered his confirmation in 2003.
Estrada joined a panel at the Heritage Foundation on Friday to discuss the Court’s recently concluded term.
Estrada didn’t show any sour grapes, saying that despite the past, he looks forward to the 2009-2010 Supreme Court year, which most likely will include the first Latina justice, Sonia Sotomayor.
“I’m excited,” Estrda said.
So what’s the next big Supreme Court battle? Cameras in the courtroom.
With Justice David Souter on his way out, panelists said, so too will be his strong feelings on restricting television cameras from the court.
In 1996 Souter said: “I think the case is so strong, that I can tell you the day you see a camera come into our courtroom, it’s going to roll over my dead body.”
