Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Sam Donaldson) Report introduced.

(DC: Tim O'Brien) Emergence of judge Anthony Kennedy as leading cand. for nomination to Supreme Court in wake of withdrawal of Doug. Ginsburg from consideration reported Kennedy's ruling striking down legislature veto and affirmation of decision by Supreme Court detailed. His decision that women are not constitutionally guaranteed same pay for same job as men noted. [September 1985, ex-pres. NOW Eleanor SMEAL - says she has to fight for the obvious.] Other contenders for nomination noted to be Roger Miner and William Wilkins, backed by Senator Strom Thurmond. Defeat in Senate of previous nominee Robert Bork and withdrawal of Ginsburg recalled. President John Tyler's problems in having Supreme Court nominees fail recalled. CIA director William Webster mentioned as most confirmable choice.

(DC: Kenneth Walker) Unwillingness of President Reagan to discuss next nominee reported White House chief of staff Howard Baker and Attorney General Edwin Meese noted cands. for blame for failure of last two nominees. [On CBS, Senator Orrin HATCH - blames people in White House who run for cover during crisis; says he will now look all cands. over carefully.] [On "This Wk." Senator Howell HEFLIN - suggests putting off choice till next year] [Senator Arlen SPECTER - says Reagan must make choice sooner than Heflin suggests.] Issue of confirmability versus choosing a conservative nominee mentioned.