Somin on Kanner on Toobin on Kelo
An interesting discussion is going on over at Volokh Conspiracy about Professor Gideon Kanner's critique (posted here and here) of journalist Jeffrey Toobin's new book on the Supreme Court, particularly the section dismissing the reaction to Kelo as the product of right-wing reactionaries.
The posts are worth reading for an inside look at what makes a Supreme Court case, especially the amicus process. Don't miss Kanner's responses in the comments here, here, here, here, and his deconstruction of Berman, Midkiff, and Kelo here.
We filed amicus briefs in Kelo (supporting Mrs. Kelo, natch) and the regulatory takings case heard the same day, Lingle v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc.



For a popular read on the Supreme Court by a journalist I think it's hard to beat Jan Crawford Greenburg's 'Supreme Conflict.' Unlike just about any other treatment I've read, she manages to keep partisan swipes out of it.
(I haven't read Toobin's book yet, but having seen him countless times on TV, I can't believe he could manage to keep ideology from coloring his reporting).
Posted by: Charley Foster | January 20, 2008 at 10:58 AM