Readers React: Why every president’s Supreme Court picks, from Washington to Trump, are tainted by politics

To the editor: Whether you think the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation process has resembled a job interview or a criminal trial, the fact is that the Supreme Court is a political institution that presidents have long used to appoint those who agree with their political agenda.

From George Washington and his Federalist-aligned approach to interpreting the Constitution to Ronald Reagan’s ensuring that his judicial appointees held Republican views on issues such as abortion and affirmative action, the Supreme Court has served as a manipulating instrument for those in power.

In a truly democratic society, the Supreme Court would be devoid of partisan considerations. Alas, few of us can maintain the delusion of bipartisan objectivity after the Supreme Court settled the 2000 presidential election.

In putting Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, President Trump has simply followed in the steps of his predecessors.

Berta Graciano-Buchman, Beverly Hills

..

To the editor: In 2004, all it took was one overly enthusiastic shout to end the presidential aspirations of Howard Dean.

But Kavanaugh’s recent jaw-dropping performance of tears and belligerence in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee apparently will not derail his ambitions.

My, how times have changed.

Debra Kaufman, Venice

..

To the editor: First, there was the Fox News choirboy. Then the Senate’s outraged victim. Now we have the Wall Street Journal’s cool and impartial judge.

Brett Kavanaugh shouldn’t be admitted to the Supreme Court. He should be admitted to the Screen Actors Guild.

Elaine Osio, Manhattan Beach

..

To the editor: If women wanted to ruin men’s lives, we would switch to a tactic that actually works.

Lee Bridges, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook