--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A nominee [to Supreme Court] must possess…" description: "\"A nominee [to Supreme Court] must possess the competence, character and temperament to serve on the bench.\" — Herb Kohl" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/herb-kohl-25520_benches_a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess_40021.jpg" --- # A nominee \[to Supreme Court\] must possess the competence… ![“A nominee [to Supreme Court] must possess the competence, character and temperament to serve on the bench.” quote by Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/herb-kohl-25520_benches_a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess_40021.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/herb-kohl-25520_benches_a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess_40021.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/herb-kohl-25520_benches_a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess_40021.jpg) > “A nominee \[to Supreme Court\] must possess the competence, character and temperament to serve on the bench.” [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A Supreme Court nominee must demonstrate intellectual ability, moral integrity, and emotional stability to fulfill judicial duties responsibly. **In simple terms:** Judicial qualifications Key Takeaway Competence, character, temperament are essential Themes Judicial competence Ethics Emotional stability Public trust Legal authority Mood Serious Respectful Thoughtful Type Axiom Policy statement When to use this quote - Nomination hearings - Senate confirmation votes - Legal community assessments - Media analysis Key Concepts Judicial qualifications Moral integrity Emotional resilience Practical Applications - Guiding vetting processes - Informing public discourse Questions to Reflect On - What criteria should dominate the evaluation of a judge? - How can temperament be objectively assessed? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benches/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/court/) [Supreme court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supreme-court/) [Temperament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temperament/) ## Related quotes > [ I am told that very early on in this transition process, to expect that \[Donald\] Trump will announce his nominee for the Supreme Court. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stephanopoulos/i-am-told-that-very-early-on-in-this-transition-process-to-expect/) [George Stephanopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stephanopoulos/) > [ \[Nominee for the Supreme Court\] will be something designed to very much please conservatives, even as they may get a little nervous on some… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stephanopoulos/nominee-for-the-supreme-court-will-be-something-designed-to-very-much/) [George Stephanopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stephanopoulos/) > [We have to respect that any nominee to the Supreme Court would have to defer any comments on any matters which are either before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/we-have-to-respect-that-any-nominee-to-the-supreme-court-would-have/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [And it makes you wonder—how can a people incapable of selecting their own lightbulbs and toilets possess enough competence to vote for their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-it-makes-you-wonder-how-can-a-people-incapable-of-selecting-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America deserves a nominee who reveres the law, not one whose service on the bench is conditioned on political promises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cornyn/america-deserves-a-nominee-who-reveres-the-law-not-one-whose-service/) [John Cornyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cornyn/) > [Sen. Frist has every right, and indeed the duty, to see that every presidential nominee for the Federal bench at every level gets an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jay-hooker/sen-frist-has-every-right-and-indeed-the-duty-to-see-that-every/) [John Jay Hooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jay-hooker/) > [No senator's vote, except for the declaration of war or the authorization for the use of force, is more important than the confirmation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlen-specter/no-senator-s-vote-except-for-the-declaration-of-war-or-the/) [Arlen Specter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlen-specter/) > [When a nominee for the Supreme Court, one of only nine lifetime appointments, makes an overtly brazen racist comment about tens of millions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/when-a-nominee-for-the-supreme-court-one-of-only-nine-lifetime/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew but how many will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/what-will-matter-is-not-your-competence-but-your-character-what-will/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [What will matter in the end is not what you bought but what you built; not what you got but what you gave; not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/what-will-matter-in-the-end-is-not-what-you-bought-but-what-you-built/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [“Competence' may get you to the top but only 'character' and 'commitment' will keep you there on a sustainable basis. So build 3 Cs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-seth/competence-may-get-you-to-the-top-but-only-character-and-commitment/) [Rakesh Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-seth/) > [The cognitive development of the players is enormously important, as well as social competence and character values such as discipline and teamwork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joachim-low/the-cognitive-development-of-the-players-is-enormously-important-as/) [Joachim Low](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joachim-low/) > [“How does one build bridges of trust with another? By paying attention to communication, commitment, competence, and character. Pay”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lolly-daskal/how-does-one-build-bridges-of-trust-with-another-by-paying-attention/) [Lolly Daskal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lolly-daskal/) > [Trust is a function of two things: character and competence. Character includes your integrity, your motive and your intent with people. Competence includes your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/trust-is-a-function-of-two-things-character-and-competence-character/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Judicial excellence requires candor before confirmation. We are being asked to give the nominee enormous power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/judicial-excellence-requires-candor-before-confirmation-we-are-being/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) ## More by Herb Kohl > [Judicial excellence requires an understanding that the law is more than an intellectual game and more than a mental exercise. He or she must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/judicial-excellence-requires-an-understanding-that-the-law-is-more/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [Even as we pour hundreds of billions of dollars into our efforts in the Middle East, there is much that needs to be done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/even-as-we-pour-hundreds-of-billions-of-dollars-into-our-efforts-in/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [We need to take steps to strengthen and mend Social Security so that its promise of a secure retirement is just as real for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/we-need-to-take-steps-to-strengthen-and-mend-social-security-so-that/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [Judicial excellence requires candor before confirmation. We are being asked to give the nominee enormous power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/judicial-excellence-requires-candor-before-confirmation-we-are-being/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [We give Supreme Court justices this freedom because we expect them to remain above the pull of politics, to avoid the effects of public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/we-give-supreme-court-justices-this-freedom-because-we-expect-them-to/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [Before we decide to trust you with this power, we ask you to stand before the public and explain your views. Justice may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/before-we-decide-to-trust-you-with-this-power-we-ask-you-to-stand/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [When the President makes something a priority, we see action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/when-the-president-makes-something-a-priority-we-see-action/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [Over the course of more than 200 years, it has found a right to equal education regardless of race. It has guaranteed an attorney…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/over-the-course-of-more-than-200-years-it-has-found-a-right-to-equal/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [We need to fight the plague of the uninsured the way we have fought other threats to our way of life and our basic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/we-need-to-fight-the-plague-of-the-uninsured-the-way-we-have-fought/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [Its time to stop defending a system that is clearly in dire need of reform, stop issuing reports and setting up new roadblocks, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/its-time-to-stop-defending-a-system-that-is-clearly-in-dire-need-of/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [I will vote my hopes and not my fears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/i-will-vote-my-hopes-and-not-my-fears/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [Judicial excellence means that a Supreme Court justice must have a sense of the values from which our core of our political- economic system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/judicial-excellence-means-that-a-supreme-court-justice-must-have-a/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [Whether interpreting the Constitution or filling in the blanks of a law or a regulation, every word of the court's opinion can widen or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/whether-interpreting-the-constitution-or-filling-in-the-blanks-of-a/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [ If confirmed, \[Judge of the Supreme Court\] will write the words that will either broaden or narrow our rights for the rest of your… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/if-confirmed-judge-of-the-supreme-court-will-write-the-words-that/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) > [The judicial branch has, in its finest hours, stood firmly on the side of individuals against those who would trample their rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/the-judicial-branch-has-in-its-finest-hours-stood-firmly-on-the-side/) [Herb Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) [Explore all 23 Herb Kohl quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/) ## More Benches quotes > [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/) [Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/) > [I don't think I've ever bench-pressed anything in my life. Until about two years ago I swam a mile almost every day. Then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-antosca/i-don-t-think-i-ve-ever-bench-pressed-anything-in-my-life-until-about/) [Nick Antosca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-antosca/) > [What if it turns out there really are witches and vampires and werewolves living right here alongside us? After all, what better disguise could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-lukyanenko/what-if-it-turns-out-there-really-are-witches-and-vampires-and/) [Sergei Lukyanenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-lukyanenko/) > [Truly, the bench is a boon to idlers. Whoever first came up with the idea is a genius: free public resting places where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/truly-the-bench-is-a-boon-to-idlers-whoever-first-came-up-with-the/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [I'm not one of those actors who romanticizes his trials working out and brags that he can bench press a panda now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-m-not-one-of-those-actors-who-romanticizes-his-trials-working-out/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [ The model for an NHL without fighting is right there in front of us. The \[playoffs are\] the time of year that fans love… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-dryden/the-model-for-an-nhl-without-fighting-is-right-there-in-front-of-us/) [Ken Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-dryden/) > [We're just a fragile team right now. It seems like when we have a little bit of adversity, when something goes wrong, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-walz/we-re-just-a-fragile-team-right-now-it-seems-like-when-we-have-a/) Wes Walz > [There were crimson roses on the bench; they looked like splashes of blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/there-were-crimson-roses-on-the-bench-they-looked-like-splashes-of/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [Every man in the game, from the minors on up, is not only fighting against the other side, but he's trying to hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-cobb/every-man-in-the-game-from-the-minors-on-up-is-not-only-fighting/) [Ty Cobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-cobb/) > [I was in a garden at the Rodin Museum. For a few minutes I was alone, sitting on a bench between two long hedges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-howe/i-was-in-a-garden-at-the-rodin-museum-for-a-few-minutes-i-was-alone/) [Irving Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-howe/) > [Israel has incredible entrepreneurial spirit and a deep bench of technology talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roelof-botha/israel-has-incredible-entrepreneurial-spirit-and-a-deep-bench-of/) [Roelof Botha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roelof-botha/) > [At 200 pounds, with a 17-inch neck, a resting pulse of 78, a bench press of 200 pounds, I was very much indeed a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-benedict/at-200-pounds-with-a-17-inch-neck-a-resting-pulse-of-78-a-bench-press/) [Dirk Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-benedict/) > [When lifting weights, nothing feels better than achieving a high point on the bench press with no help from your spotter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/when-lifting-weights-nothing-feels-better-than-achieving-a-high-point/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [It's so worth-while being a judge, because, if I make good, I can help prove that a woman's place is as much on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-ellinwood-allen/it-s-so-worth-while-being-a-judge-because-if-i-make-good-i-can-help/) [Florence Ellinwood Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-ellinwood-allen/) > [We must reject dictatorship in whatever form it takes--and especially when it rears its head in our own midst on the bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/we-must-reject-dictatorship-in-whatever-form-it-takes-and-especially/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) [Browse all 305 Benches quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benches/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A nominee [to Supreme Court] must possess the competence, character and temperament to serve on the bench.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herb Kohl" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess-the-competence-character-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Benches" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess-the-competence-character-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/herb-kohl-25520_benches_a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess_40021.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/herb-kohl-25520_benches_a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess_40021.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51a/herb-kohl-25520_benches_a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess_40021.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A nominee [to Supreme Court] must possess the competence, character and temperament to serve on the bench.” — Herb Kohl", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Herb Kohl", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kohl/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A nominee [to Supreme Court] must...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess-the-competence-character-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kohl/a-nominee-to-supreme-court-must-possess-the-competence-character-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```