When the Eight-Member Supreme Court Avoids Deadlocks, It Leans Left

The New York Times: The court issued liberal decisions in 56 percent of cases so far this term, according to a widely accepted standard developed by political scientists that considers signed decisions in argued cases. The share is only slightly lower than in the 2014-15 term, which had the highest share of liberal decisions since the court led by Chief Justice Earl Warren in the 1950s and 1960s.

Judge Garland would probably fit squarely among the liberal bloc of the court, according to an analysis of his appeals court record. (A low-end estimate would put him slightly more conservative than Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and a high-end estimate more liberal than Justice Sonia Sotomayor.)

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