More Perfect: The Political Thicket

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Nov 25, 2022

The discussion dives into the surprising significance of the Baker v. Carr case and its ripple effects on the Supreme Court. It reveals how the case strained justices, leading to personal crises and pivotal changes in judicial philosophy. The hosts examine Earl Warren's legacy and the growing politicization of the judiciary, as well as the challenges faced by justices grappling with high-stakes decisions. Mental health struggles within the court are candidly explored, showcasing the human side of legal challenges and their far-reaching impact on American democracy.

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ANECDOTE

Warren's Surprise

When Chief Justice Earl Warren retired, he was asked about the most important case of his tenure.
Surprisingly, he chose Baker v. Carr, a redistricting case, over landmark cases like Miranda or Brown v. Board of Education.

ANECDOTE

Clash of Titans

Justices Frankfurter and Douglas, despite their influence, were known for their difficult personalities.
Frankfurter was described as condescending and egotistical, while Douglas was a "habitual womanizer" who married a much younger woman.

ANECDOTE

Whitaker's Rise

Justice Whitaker, from a small town, worked hard to become a lawyer, even practicing law to animals.
He put himself through law school by selling animal pelts and impressed the dean enough to be admitted without a high school diploma.

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When U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren was asked at the end of his career, “What was the most important case of your tenure?”, there were a lot of answers he could have given. He had presided over some of the most important decisions in the court’s history — cases that dealt with segregation in schools, the right to an attorney, the right to remain silent, just to name a few. But his answer was a surprise: he said “Baker v. Carr,” a 1962 redistricting case.

On this 2016 episode, part of our series More Perfect, we talk about why this case was so important. Important enough that it pushed one Supreme Court justice to a nervous breakdown, brought a boiling feud to a head, gave another justice a stroke, and changed the course of the Supreme Court — and the nation — forever.This episode is the one of the few times you can hear the voice of our Executive Producer Suzie Lechtenberg. After years of leading the team, Suzie will leave WNYC to start her new adventure. Suzie: re-publishing this episode is our way of saying thank you for all you’ve done — for the show and for each of us. Team Radiolab wishes you nothing but success and so much happiness in the next stage of your career.

Episode Credits:Reported by Suzie LechtenbergProduced by Suzie Lechtenberg

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