Judge Judy, Joe Brown on Supreme Court Short List

The battle over a Supreme Court justice to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is heating up, and the White House is giving its short list a good reshuffle. Off the list for now, mild-mannered former petroleum industry lobbyist Priscilla Owen and hot-tempered Janice Rogers Brown, both of whom could crumble under withering interrogation from the likes of Senators Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden. Taking their place: a handful of judges who likely won't lose their cool amid the white hot glare of the spotlight: Judge Judy and Joe Brown.

Long-shot contenders: Navy Commander Harmon "Harm" Rabb, better known as JAG, and Judge Henry Roth, who sits on the nation's Style Court

By Deanna Swift

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Washington, DC-- The battle over a Supreme Court justice to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is heating up, and the White House is giving its short list a good reshuffle. Off the list for now, mild-mannered former petroleum industry lobbyist Priscilla Owen and hot-tempered Janice Rogers Brown, both of whom could crumble under withering interrogation from the likes of Senators Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden.

Taking their place: a handful of judges who likely won't lose their cool amid the white hot glare of the spotlight: Judge Judy, known to fans as the "ultimate truth machine," Judge Joe Brown, "defender of womanhood, promoter of manhood," and Judge Amy Gray, a single mother who left New York behind to become a Family Court Judge in Hartford, CT.

Judge Judy
Smart, savvy and opinionated, the irrepressible Judge Judith Sheindlin holds court as presiding judge over real-life cases on the highly successful courtroom series Judge Judy. Assisted by Bailiff Byrd, Judge Judy dispenses tough-but-fair judgments at lightening speeds in cases such as the one about the carpet installer who punched a hole in the wall when he found out his girlfriend was allegedly dating one of his friends.

Key supporters: Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family
Critics say that Judge Judy's statements on drug users—"give them dirty needles and let 'em die"—indicate a lack of compassion.
Friends on the Court: Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas.

Judge Joe Brown
Known for his non-traditional, no-nonsense, no-holds-barred style, Judge Joe Brown has spent seven seasons meting out justice. While critics charge that his treatment of litigants is often offensive, fans praise the Judge for his insightful statements, including "take care of your own business," and "it's about being a man."

Key supporters: Tony Perkins of the Family Resource Council
Critics: warn that Judge Brown too often takes the "male side" and is more interested in "promoting manhood" than in "defending womanhood."
Friends on the Court: Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer

Judge Amy Gray
Judge Gray left New York behind to become a Family Court Judge in Hartford, CT, where she lives with her opinionated mother and struggles weekly to balance the demands of the Court with the needs of her family. Judge Gray's primarily female fans, praise her fair, compassionate decisions and her ability to navigate both personal and professional dilemmas in her changing, challenging life. But sources close to the Judge say she's eyeing a possible Senate run. 

Key supporters: Kim Gandy of the National Organization for Women
Critics: Conservatives complain that Judge Gray is soft on violent offenders and may stray from a strictly originalist interpretation of the Constitution.
Friends on the Court: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Paul Stevens

Judge Henry Roth
Presiding over the nation's Style Court, Judge Henry Roth has the final word when it comes to sentencing the many fashion offenders that appear in his courtroom. Judge Roth prides himself on his compassion and a willingness to confront law-breakers with attitude—no matter how famous they are. Although Judge Roth is popular, he is a native of Australia, a fact that could ultimately derail his journey to the Supreme Court, and sources close to the Judge say that he may be unwilling to give up his lucrative sideline as a designer of bridal gowns.

Key supporters: Nadine Strossen of the American Civil Liberties Union
Critics: Family values groups charge that Judge Roth's eccentric behavior and confirmed bachelor status could send the wrong message to the nation's children.
Friends on the Court:Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Judge Advocate General Harmon "Harm" Rabb
A member of the elite legal wing of officers trained as lawyers who investigate, prosecute and defend those accused of crimes in the military, Navy Commander Harmon "Harm" Robb, has won praise for his willingness to travel to the furthest reaches of the globe in search of the truth. But sources close to the JAG, who stepped down at the end of the last season, say that he may be more interested in pursuing a relationship with beautiful by-the-book officer Marine Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie, than in a Supreme Court nomination.

Key supporters: US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
Critics: Dan Rather and others have charged that Harm is too often a tool of the Pentagon.
Friends on the Court: Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas

Which of these judges would you like to see nominated to the US Supreme Court? Talk back to Deanna Swift.

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