Obama to reshape OK's 10th Circuit Court of Appeals

[fl_dem]

Resignation turns to politics
Obama will nominate a judge for 10th Circuit Court of Appeals spot.

By ROBERT BOCZKIEWICZ World Correspondent
Published: 12/12/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 12/12/2009 5:40 AM

DENVER — The resignation of Chief Judge Robert H. Henry gives President Barack Obama more opportunity to shape the federal appeals court that serves Oklahoma.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals now predominately has judges appointed by Republican presidents.

Henry's departure will open a full-scale race in the Oklahoma legal circle to get Obama's nomination.

The political composition of the full-time judges will not change significantly, at least in the near term. That is because only one of the two spots on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that Obama will fill was held by a judge appointed by a Republican president.

Before Henry, 56, submitted his resignation Thursday, Judge Michael McConnell of Salt Lake City, a self-acknowledged conservative, left the court last summer. Henry was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, and McConnell was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The current line-up of full-time judges is four appointed by Democratic presidents and seven by Republican presidents.

If any more of the authorized spots become vacant while Obama is president, he will have the opportunity to further reshape the make-up of the court.
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To view the full article with chart of current judges and who appointed them:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20091212_14_A1_DENVER882223


What I find most interesting is the mindset of the people of OK by reading their comments as almost half of them were pro-Obama. I would love to see OK turn blue in my lifetime!!!!!