AN UNFAMILIAR COURT

June 1, 2010
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_06/024051.php

AN UNFAMILIAR COURT.... Can you name one member of the U.S. Supreme Court? If so, you're better
informed than nearly two-thirds of the country. If you can name all nine, you beat 99% of the
population.

FindLaw.com released the results of its latest national poll, and found that only 35% of the country
can name even one justice.

Clarence Thomas is the most well known justice but could be named by only 19 percent of Americans.
Chief Justice John Roberts was named by 16 percent of people. Sonia Sotomayor, the newest justice,
could be named by only 15 percent of Americans following a highly visible nomination and confirmation
process last year.

The least known justice in the poll was Clinton appointee Stephen Breyer, who was identified by a
whopping 3% of the public. John Paul Stevens, despite all the recent press about his tenure and
retirement, was named by just 8% of poll respondents.

Sandra Day O'Connor and David Souter were both named as members of the high court, despite having
already retired.

If you're reading this site, you're very likely more informed than the norm, but if you can correctly
name all nine Supreme Court justices -- a feat I don't consider especially difficult -- you're part of
just 1% of the country.

?Steve Benen 11:30 AM
.

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