Now here is something interesting. Michael Fletcher reports in the WaPo:
President Obama Wednesday named two new nominees to serve on the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals....
Obama nominated Judge Albert Diaz, a North Carolina superior court judge who handles complex business cases, and Judge James Wynn, of North Carolina's state Court of Appeals.
Two state court judges! As a general tendency (not an iron rule, of course) federal judges with state court experience are, I believe, more likely to recognize federalism limits on federal court authority in habeas corpus. Those who go directly to the federal courts, and especially those who go directly to the Court of Appeals with no trial judge experience, seem to be more likely to sneer at the state courts and brush aside their judgments.
But there is more. Both nominees have military service. Again, as a general tendency, joining the military, especially in the all-volunteer era (mid-boomers and younger), is a good indicator that one is not a loony lefty.
I'm told by a reliable NC source that both of these judges are well regarded. This appears to be a pleasant surprise from an administration I was very, very worried about in the judicial appointments area.
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