The following cases are examples of the Supreme Court’s empowerment of the one percent in recent years.
Each was enormously consequential and each was decided by a 5-4 vote, illustrating the
crucial importance of elections to the direction of the nation’s fundamental law.
George W. Bush takes the oath of office from Chief Justice William Rehnquist to become the 43rd president Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001, in Washington. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
BUSH V. GORE (2000)
The Supreme Court stepped in to stop the hotly contested presidential vote recount in Florida. The Court’s five conservative members, all appointed by Republican presidents, awarded the presidency to the Republican candidate, even though the state continued to count votes and the Constitution assigns ultimate resolution of ballot disputes to Congress.
