Supreme Court Showdown

Christian college professors Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines.

Part 1 (1:06): Headlines - We discuss the debate over whether and how Republicans should attempt to fill the Supreme Court opening created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Gisburg in light of the events of 2016 and the history of post-Roe v. Wade Supreme Court nominations. Links: History of Supreme Court nominations; Justice Ginsburg in the New York Times; Dan McLaughlin at National Review; AP on 2016 v. 2020 hypocrisy; President Trump’s position; Former Vice President Biden’s Constitution Center speech; Senator Joe Biden in 1992 on C-Span; George Neumayr at The Hill; David French at Time; Yuval Levin at National Review; 2018 New York Times list of Supreme Court frontrunners. 

Part 2 (38:14): Required Reading - We discuss the proper role of the Supreme Court in our republican system with the help of Federalist 78 and Federalist 51. 

Part 2 (50:58): Open the Grade Book - In anticipation of the first presidential debate next week, we discuss our grading rubrics for Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Part 3 (59:36): Tocqueville's Crystal Ball - After two weeks of picking five different contests in five different sports, Matt leads with a record of 8-2 to Dave’s 2-8. This week we pick: Green Bay at New Orleans (NFL), #23 Kentucky at #8 Auburn (College Football), game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals (NHL), game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals (NBA), and the final four National League playoff teams. Our bonus pick: how many people will watch the first presidential debate? 

Opening and closing music is from the beginning of "Happy Life" by Ryan Andersen from his 2018 album, Americana volume 1. Available here. Licensed by Creative Commons.

Matt Parks is an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is a Professor of Politics and the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Providence Christian College in Pasadena, California. All views expressed in this podcast are their own.