TJP: Court Following Clarence Thomas

In a completely fascinating piece in the current New Yorker , Supreme Court watcher Jeffrey Toobin has what many will consider a surprising take on Justice Clarence Thomas: “In several of the most important areas of constitutional law,” Toobin writes, “Thomas has emerged as an intellectual leader of the Supreme Court. Since the arrival of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., in 2005, and Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., in 2006, the Court has moved to the right when it comes to the free-speech rights of corporations, the rights of gun owners, and, potentially, the powers of the federal government; in each of these areas, the majority has followed where Thomas has been leading for a decade or more. Rarely has a Supreme Court Justice enjoyed such broad or significant vindication”/ Marc Johnson, The Johnson Post. More here .

• At least he wasn’t texting /Adam’s Blog
• Coming up: Through the wormhole /Fort Boise
• Crapo: ‘Bring common sense back to federal budgeting process’ /43rd State Blues
• Wolverine man /Susan Arkle, Idaho Conservation League
• A pointed joke from Secretary of State Ysursa /Dan Popkey, Idaho Politics
• Romney fund-raising focuses on old strongholds, including Idaho /Kevin Richert
• Choice of living with wolves, grizzlies makes Idaho special /Rocky Barker

Question: Has the country underestimated Justice Clarence Thomas?