1.  a) What is Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's view on the role of judges?
b)  How does Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's view differ from that of Sen. McCain?

2.  How did Senators Obama and McCain differ on key Supreme Court decisions in Boumedienne and Gonzales v. Carhart?

3.  How are the Supreme Court justices divided philosophically?

4.  Should he be elected and serve two terms, in what two ways could Senator Obama shift the Supreme Court to the left?

5.  What judicial appointments made by the next president do some consider more important than those of the Supreme Court?  Why?

6.  Do you agree with the following statement: "Rather than scrutinizing judicial nominees based on their perceived political leanings, the next president should appoint judges who apply the law regardless of their own policy preferences"?  Explain your answer.