[10.29.11] West Wing - The Supremes

Connections
1) The president nominates a judge from his own party. The judiciary committee:

JOSH: We're some democrats over here.  We're not going to nominate a born again
elk hunter with a tattoo of the confederate flag on his [butt].

2) They mention the appellate court, which hears cases already decided in district courts.

EVELYN: Well I don't mind.  But people wonder why the appellate system is so backed
up.  We shouldn't let them know this is how I spend my time.

3) One of the nominees mentions Roe v. Wade, which determined that abortion is constitutional

EVELYN: If you're Webster, the question is 'Where do you stand on Roe v Wade?'.  And
the answer is 'Judicial ruling shouldn't be based on personal ideologies -
mine or anyone else's'.

4) The right to privacy is also mentioned. (14th amendment)

EVELYN: I'm told I have a right to privacy.  I think this is the sort of thing it's referring to. 

5) They referred to Brown v. Board of Education, which took place in 1954.

JOSH: More than bright enough.  If we had a bench full of moderates in 54 'Separate
but Equal' would still be on the books and this place would still have 2
sets of drinking fountains.

6) Enumerated rights, which are rights that are specifically mentioned in the Constitution, were mentioned.

TOBY: The man wrote a book that flushes the entire doctrine of enumerated rights
down the-

7) They mentioned Miranda rights, which is the law that police have to inform you of your rights when you are being arrested.

Charlie: He censored on minority set assage instruct hate crime legislation. When
asked the Miranda Rights.  Feeling pretty good about that?

8) The 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause) was brought up.

TOBY: It's an equal protection violation.

Questions
1) What is the difference in power of the chief justice and the other justices?
2) Is having a moderate judge such a bad thing?
3) Do judges get offended when you ask them to step down?
4) Is the judiciary committee made up of both Republicans and Democrats? Or is there one for each party?
5) Would putting a Democrat and a Republican on the court at the same time be okay? Wouldn't there be more conflict in the court?