Judge Leah Sears: The Next U.S. Supreme Court Justice?

President Barack Obama may be about to replace one retiring Supreme Court justice with another retiring Supreme Court jurist.  Both U.S. Supreme Court judge David Souter and Georgia’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears are leaving the bench.  Political cognoscenti say that Justice Sears could be in line to take Souter’s seat. 

Reportedly, the 53-year-old Sears who is leaving after 17 years on the states highest court is on the President’s short list of potential nominees.  Sears is said to be a top choice since she’s one of only two black women being considered for the prestigious post.  There has never been an African American female U.S. Supreme Court justice

“If it were up to me I would appoint myself [to the U.S. Supreme Court],” Chief Justice Sears told this reporter during a “NEWSMAKERS” Live interview just one week before Souter’s resignation.  At the time, Sears said she would “definitely” be interested if the opportunity ever presented itself. Now, she is staring that opportunity in the face.

“I like being thought of, because that means I’m being well thought of,” she said during an AJC interview prior to Obama’s election when asked about the possibility of being named to the Supreme Court.  “But those are bridges that will have to be crossed when we get to them.”

Despite the fierce partisan politics often involved in “getting and staying on the Court” judges are not politicians, Sears argues.   She likens her job as a jurist to that of an umpire.

“It’s a complex thing,” she opines.  “Politics may get you the job, but the best umpire is not there for their team; they are there calling balls and strikes as they see them.  That’s what we do.”

The word ‘activist’ judge is a modern word and it really means that you have not ruled my way,” Sears says with angst.  “And, it is used by both sides,” she observes. “People say Clarence Thomas is an activist conservative ideologue.  On the flip side conservatives say liberals are activists doing their thing with regard to abortion and gun control. Both sides need to stop.  It can be awfully difficult getting knocked down by both sides all the time.”