I thought that that was an effort to inject a popular element, a democratic element into the selection of a person who, once he is selected and confirmed, is beyond electoral control.

Quote by Stephen Breyer

Topics: Stephen Breyer Quotes

Independence doesn't mean you decide the way you want.

Independence doesn't mean you decide the way you want.

You will read in the newspaper more often about federal courts, but the law that...

You will read in the newspaper more often about federal courts, but the law that...

People have to be educated and they have to stick to it. If people lose...

People have to be educated and they have to stick to it. If people lose...

Nobody wants a judge to be subject to the political whim of the moment.

Nobody wants a judge to be subject to the political whim of the moment.

I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order...

I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order...

And the problem is once you get into this campaign business and begin to have...

And the problem is once you get into this campaign business and begin to have...

Independence means you decide according to the law and the facts.

Independence means you decide according to the law and the facts.

Well, just that there would be somebody in the office and the voters - it...

Well, just that there would be somebody in the office and the voters - it...

At least there's a political input, but when you put on the robe, at that...

At least there's a political input, but when you put on the robe, at that...

I think it shows that if you have one group of people doing it, you'll...

I think it shows that if you have one group of people doing it, you'll...

It doesn't help to fight crime to put people in prison who are innocent.

It doesn't help to fight crime to put people in prison who are innocent.

Ultimately, the question of campaign contributions will be decided by the public.

Ultimately, the question of campaign contributions will be decided by the public.

Every citizen has to figure out what kind of government he or she wants.

Every citizen has to figure out what kind of government he or she wants.

We are selected, but I grew up in California and in San Francisco and there...

We are selected, but I grew up in California and in San Francisco and there...

We can speak about the institution, but ultimately the bar is the group that both...

We can speak about the institution, but ultimately the bar is the group that both...

It's important to every American that the law protect his or her basic liberty.

It's important to every American that the law protect his or her basic liberty.

And in that confirmation process, I sat for 17 hours in front of a senate...

And in that confirmation process, I sat for 17 hours in front of a senate...

Judges are appointed often through the political process.

Judges are appointed often through the political process.

You can have many different selection systems, but the bottom line has to be a...

You can have many different selection systems, but the bottom line has to be a...

But once the person is selected, at that point that person is independent.

But once the person is selected, at that point that person is independent.