The author shows how "competing factions within the executive branch, organized interests, and the president's close associates all vie for influence during ... presidential decisionmaking" in selecting nominees for the Supreme Court.

Introduction -- Truman rewards loyalty and friendship -- Eisenhower takes on "cronyism" -- Kennedy and Johnson restore the politics of patronage -- Nixon and Ford : the "Southern strategy" and political reality -- Reagan's pursuit of conservative ideologues -- A closer look : patterns and problems in nominee selection -- The selection practices of Bush and Clinton : some initial observations.