June 10, 2005

The wealth of the Justices.

Here's up-to-date info on the wealth of the Supreme Court Justices. Distinctly poorest: Anthony Kennedy and Clarence Thomas. Richest: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Souter, and Stephen Breyer.

Travel info, too. Most trips, by far: Sandra Day O'Connor. Least trips -- that is, none: Souter.

5 comments:

Adam said...

At some point, Souter may realize that the key to ending his bachelorhood lies in a partner outside the Beltway.

Unknown said...

Poor conservatives? An associate justice makes $164,000 a year. That's not even poor in New York City, where I'm from. If they have few assets, they are obviously spending their money somewhere.

I'd question why Kennedy has so little assets. Is he heading to Vegas every weekend or something?

Ann Althouse said...

Lee: I'm thinking he's extremely shy and doesn't like to go to events where he's a big center of attention. Here's an old post of mine that's relevant:

[Linda Greenhouse quotes] a written message from Justice David Souter, explaining why he was declining to go to a speech Blackmun recommended:

"I know you get a kick out of these things, but you have to realize that God gave you an element of sociability, and I think he gave you the share otherwise reserved for me."


Kathleen: I was wondering about that too. All I can think of is art.

Pancho said...

Most trips, by far: Sandra Day O'Connor

I'm glad Justice O'Connor likes to travel. One of her trips this year was to talk to us poor rubes in Midland Texas. I enjoyed her talk greatly. She spent a good deal of time defining herself by delving into her early year on the ranch in Arizona. Very entertaining.

Wade Garrett said...

Gerry,

I think the wealth disparity has more to do with the fact that some members of the court were practicing lawyers for a longer period of time than others, and that some have written more popular books than others. Ideology has little to do with it. Judge Posner is conservative and he must have made tens of millions in royalties over the years.