SCOTUS Justice Amy Coney Barrett Speaks at the Richard Nixon Library

I had a chance to attend an amazing event at the RN Library — all of a mile from my home. It was amazing. Here’s how it went down!

Photo credit: ME!

Typically am not writing about my own personal experiences in this space. My readers are here to talk California politics (as well the dysfunction that takes places all over California). But since I had a fun experience this morning, I thought I would share a little something about it to all of my subscribers! (Of course those with a paid subscription get a little something extra below the paywall.)

Yesterday enjoyed a very enjoyable event at the Richard Nixon Library featuring Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett! I got to meet her and chat with her briefly at a pre-event reception - she is so nice! They took pics but not sure when I will get that!

There was a mob of protesters just off the Library grounds — all carrying signs about their particular grievance — “Impeach Trump” - “No More ICE Raids” - “Justice For All” — along with the “Jesus Will Save You” sign (there’s always one of those, no matter who is protesting). I would say there were about 300 guests to hear the Justice. Which really was the capacity.

By almost any measure it was a chance to hear from one of the most influential people in our country. Any Justice of the high court is important. But to the extent that the court has decisions that split the court’s six Republican appointees — Coney Barrett has been a high profile swing vote.

Photo Credit: Again, yours truly!

The main program was my friend Hugh Hewitt interviewing Justice Coney Barrett — for almost an hour! He asked such great questions and the answers were so good and interesting. There is an art to asking the right questions since a Supreme Court Justice cannot really comment on issues that may end up in front of them.

It was a wide ranging conversation and quite interesting!

My favorite moment (which will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me well) was when Hugh asked her about what it was like getting “the call” — and she said that you would think it would be an exciting moment. Coney Barrett is someone who valued her quiet life in South Bend, Indiana. And then she threw down her Lord of the Rings analogy, comparing life in South Bend at living in the Shire. A quiet place where everyone knows each other. And now she would have to move to Washington, D.C. She thought Frodo dragging himself across the fields of Mordor!

I admire the Justice even more because I share her judicial philosophy of originalism, looking to what the Constitution said when it was written and what the writers of it meant it to mean when they wrote it.

"The Constitution that I interpret and apply is not living but dead, or as I prefer to call it, enduring. It means today not what current society, much less the court, thinks it ought to mean, but what it meant when it was adopted."

- Former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

The Justice is on a book tour, having just published Listening To The Law. No, you cannot have my autographed copy! But you can order your own.

Great fun. And even more meaningful that it was in the Nixon Library’s East Room (a replica of actual room of that name in the White House) where my wedding reception was held - many years ago! And a shout out to Fred Whitaker, as I was his guest!

We are so fortunate to have Justice Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court!

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For my paid subscribers, below the paywall I have links to a couple of great podcast interviews that Justice Coney Barrett has done that are totally worth your time!

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