Wow. There's precedent for Obama on the bench.

[Chichiri]

When I first heard the idea this evening, I thought it was just silly. Obama on the Supreme Court? Come on. But then, after a bit of searching, I discovered that William Howard Taft, who was President from 1909 to 1913, was appointed Chief Justice by Harding in 1921, and served on the bench until his death in 1930.

I think Obama would be great on the Supreme Court, and it certainly would be worth seeing Republicans' heads explode. The main reason I don't think it will happen is that Obama would be an Associate Justice, effectively going from being the head of one branch of government to being the junior-most member of the supreme office of another. That would be weird.

[Sherman A1]

1. Yes,

there is also a precedent for a President serving in Congress after their term in office, however I suspect neither will be happening.

[TexasTowelie]

2. He doesn't want the job.

President Obama has stated that there are other ways for him to contribute that would be more meaningful than as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. I've done a few jobs that I didn't want to do.

I think this one would be hard to turn down, if an actual offer is made.

[Hortensis]

3. Interesting, Chichiri, thanks.

I did once read a comment from a friend obliquely implying that Obama would not be interested, but of course that doesn't mean anything and we know he has an interest in constitutional law. It's hard for me to think starting with junior status would be a dissuader, tho. They're all extremely powerful.

The biggest argument I can think of against SCOTUS is that great power has become so spread out, not mostly confined to government, that ex- presidents have many ways to make the rest of their lives matter big time, practically as much if not more than their 4 or 8 years as president -- if they choose.

[1939]

4. Taft had been out of office for nine years

How is this for throwing a damper on the excitement?

1. President Obama resigns

2. New President Biden nominates former President Obama to the Supreme Court

3. Republicans in the Senate vote not to confirm

4. President Biden has to nominate someone else

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Ironically Taft wanted to be on The Court more than in the WH.

His wife wanted him to pursue the presidency.

[Recursion]

8. He also saved women's suffrage in Leser v. Garnett

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leser_v._Garnett

And as President he broke up more monopolies than TR did.

He's a pretty underrated guy, maybe the last good Republican (except maybe Ike).

[Recursion]

7. He cannot get the hell out of DC fast enough

And I do not blame him one bit.

[davidpdx]

9. Yes, Taft served after he was president

(although 9 years is not a very long tenure). Actually Roosevelt tried to get him on SCOTUS two or three times while he was in office and Taft turned him down.

I recommend The Bully Pulpit for reading on that era.