Robert Bork

Robert Heron Bork (born March 1, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a conservative American legal scholar and former judge who advocates the judicial philosophy of originalism. Bork is a former Solicitor General. In 1987 he was nominated for the position of Associate Justice on the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, but his nomination was rejected by the Senate in a 58-42 vote.

"Bork" as a verb

According to the New York Times, the verb to bork might be defined as "to destroy a judicial nominee through a concerted attack on his character, background and philosophy." http://www.iht.com/articles/1993/01/13/topi_3.php

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The most famous (or infamous) use of the verb to bork occurred in July 1991 at a conference of the National Organization for Women in New York City. Noted feminist Florence Kennedy addressed the conference on the importance of defeating the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. She said, "We're going to bork him." http://opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=85000412 Thomas was subsequently confirmed after one of the nastiest confirmation fights in Supreme Court history.

Related Topics:
July - 1991 - National Organization for Women - New York City - Florence Kennedy - Clarence Thomas

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