Sandra Day O'Connor

After receiving Justice Stewart's letter, the Department of Justice compiles a packet offering guidance on how to proceed in selecting a nominee for the Supreme Court.

The Department of Justice writes a draft of President Reagan's response letter to Justice Stewart's resignation.

Planned comments for Attorney General William French Smith and status of Edwin Meese, Counselor to the President.

More planned comments for the White House to use entering into the selection phase.

Short mock question and answer for press purposes.

Governor Reagan begins his remarks by listing some of the actions he's taken to support women.

In the latter half of his speech he states, "one of the first Supreme Court vacancies in my administration will be filled by the most qualified woman I can possibly find, one who meets the high standards I will demand for all court appointments."

List of possible nominees the White House was considering. A notable name on this list is Robert Bork who was nominated by President Reagan later in his administration but was not confirmed by the Senate.

Judge Sandra Day O'Connor appears on page 3 of this list of nominees. Several other women are also included.

The National Women's Political Caucus remembers this promise very well and urges the nomination of a woman to the Supreme Court.

Retired District Court Judge Joseph W. Morris writes a letter of advice to President Reagan. Urging him to choose a judge that aligns with the President's stated judicial philosophy, judicial restraint.

Former President Gerald Ford advocates for the nomination of a woman as well, Judge Cornelia Kennedy. Her name appears on the White House's list of nominees.

Letter enclosed with President Ford's recommendation from the Circuit Judges of Kent County.

Elected officials from state governments and Congress submit their suggestions and recommendations as well. This one comes from Robert B. Monier, President of the New Hampshire State Senate.

Ohio Congressman Ronald Mottl recommends University of Texas Law Professor Lino A. Graglia.

Arizona Congressman John Rhodes recommends Judge Sandra Day O'Connor for nomination to the Supreme Court.

California Secretary of State March Fong Eu suggests to President Reagan that "the time is NOW" to nominate a woman to the Supreme Court.

Senator Strom Thurmond, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee gives his recommendations for nomination to the Supreme Court.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is the legislative committee that must approve nominations before they go to the entire Senate for a vote. As chairman of this committee, Senator Thurmond had considerable influence over nominations.

Wendy Borchedt, Associate Director of Presidential Personnel, urges the President to nominate a woman to the Supreme Court. Judge Cornelia Kennedy's name emerges again.

Biographical information on Judge O'Connor compiled by the White House.

Quick summaries of every majority opinion written by Judge O'Connor during her time serving as a judge for the Arizona Court of Appeals.

A letter written by Thomas C. Kelly, Archbishop of Louisville, to William French Smith's, Attorney General, secretary containing information about Sandra Day O'Connor he found concerning.

Attached to the letter from the Archbishop is a short list of concerns with Judge O'Connor's legislative record.

Another powerful voice in the evangelical community warns the Reagan Administration of the potential consequences of nominating Judge O'Connor.

The National Right to Life Committee reached out to President Reagan as well after hearing rumors of Judge O'Connor being a possible nominee.

Dr. John Willke, President of National Right to Life, tells the administration that they are ready to "go public" with a press release that could embarrass the President in an effort to stop the nomination.

Max Friedersdorf, Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, details phone conversations he had with U.S. Senators Don Nickles and Henry Hyde.

All of the Senators calling to object to Judge O'Connor's nomination do so on the basis of the abortion issue.

Despite opposition, the Reagan Administration moves forward with the nomination. This is a game plan for the announcement of the nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court.

Transcript of President Ronald Reagan's announcement of Sandra Day O'Connor's nomination to the Supreme Court.

President Reagan says that he is "completely satisfied" with Judge O'Connor's position on abortion, pushing back on the opposition against her.

Attorney General William French Smith takes the podium after President Reagan to answer questions from White House reporters.

Attorney General Smith explains that the only "political leanings" of judges that were considered were whether they aligned with President Reagan's judicial philosophy, which is judicial restraint.

"We're satisfied that she looks upon the judicial function as being one which is intended to interpret and apply the law and not to make it."

White House reporters asked if the quick announcement was due to mounting opposition from right-to-life groups. Attorney General Smith pushes back on that notion.

Although FBI background checks had not yet been completed, the White House announced their nomination of Judge O'Connor anyway. Although uncommon, the White House had little concerns about her background and were confident in their nominee.

A short White House press release announcing their intention to nominate Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court.

The National Right to Life Committee had a press release on standby immediately responding to Judge O'Connor's nomination.

Dr. J.C. Willke, President of the National Right to Life Committee states, "In the event she is the nominee, the entire pro-life movement will oppose her nomination."

The National Right to Life Committee's concerns with Judge O'Connor. This list circulated throughout the country and made its way to several Congressmen. It is a list of perceived pro-abortion actions made by Judge O'Connor while in the Arizona Senate.

Marie Craven, a pro-life activist in Chicago, writes to President Reagan about her deep disappointment with the nomination.

Snippets of news editorials reacting to the nomination of Judge O'Connor.

A memo developed by Deputy Press Secretary Pete Roussel as the White House prepares for press inquiries regarding Judge O'Connor.

Judge O'Connor's schedule for her first trip to Washington D.C. as nominee.

The report determined Judge O'Connor to meet the "highest standards of judicial temperament and integrity" while not making "any determinations about Judge O'Connor's general political ideology."

The ABA lists their methods of inquiry and the standards for which they base their investigation on.

Detailed information on Judge O'Connor's educational and professional background.

Over 300 people were interviewed by the ABA for this report, more than 150 of which were federal, state and local judges.

Many individuals in the legal, academic and political communities were also interviewed for this report, including many Arizona State Senators of both parties who served with Judge O'Connor in the legislature.

Judge O'Connor herself sat for an interview with the ABA committee and they found her to be "an intelligent, articulate person who is committed to the law and to equal justice..."

In closing of the report, "Judge O'Connor has an appropriate judicial temperament. Her judgment is sound, and she is well respected by her colleagues. Her integrity is above reproach."

Prior to Judge O'Connor's nomination the White House in conjunction with its allies in the Senate, conduct a preliminary whip count. They poll the rest of the senators on Capitol Hill to get a sense of how much support the Judge has.

The White House compiled an exhaustive list of possible questions Judge O'Connor could receive during her confirmation hearing. Firs on the list, the most controversial issue facing Judge O'Connor's nomination, abortion.

Questions about Judge O'Connor's record on abortion extend to a second page. This will certainly be a topic of inquiry during her hearing.

Questions Judge O'Connor can expect on her record as an Arizona State Legislator.

Questions on Judge O'Connor's judicial philosophy, strict constructionism, and whether or not it is appropriate for Senators to ask how she would have decided established cases.

Various miscellaneous questions the Judge should be aware of in case they are asked.

Questions regarding the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, cruel and unusual punishment, including her position on the death penalty.

More questions on various topics including the rights of public employees and the criminal justice system.

The next three pages include inquiries the Judge can expect on a variety of topics including civil rights, national security and separation of powers.

A close to final draft of Judge O'Connor's opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee during her confirmation hearing.

Judge O'Connor argues that she cannot answer inquiries regarding how she would vote on a particular issue or a particular case that has already been decided. To do this would be to prejudge a case, "which is the opposite of the attitude that a judge should have..."