Warren E. Burger

Warren E. Burger was the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court during the period covered by this book. Burger had first met Nixon, the President who appointed him, in 1948 at the Republican National Convention where Burger was the floor manager for Minnesota Governor Harold Stassen. He was also a force in helping Eisenhower win the Presidential nomination in 1952. He served as an assistant attorney general and then became a judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 1956. During his years on the Court, Burger wanted to find a decision for a landmark case that would give him a reputation like Earl Warren had.

Burger was concerned with how he would be viewed as a Supreme Court Justice. He wanted to be remembered for strong leadership and landmark decisions. With this goal in mind, he was always delaying his vote...