Democrats favor activist judges whose results-oriented approach often changes the law to reach their desired results. These results typically parallel the liberal political agenda and, as a result, abortion, pornography, and homosexual rights are in while religion, term limits, public safety, and property rights are out. Republicans, on the other hand, favor restrained judges who refuse to change the law it on their own, leaving that to legislatures or to the people. In 1997, Senate Republicans even passed a resolution opposing judicial activism. Since judges cannot take office without Senate approval, those judges are also the senators' most profound legacy.
Republicans obviously profess support for the right principles.
Americans, however, need to know whether they are serous about that profession. On the nomination side, Democratic presidents are more serious than Republican presidents about consistently advancing their view of the judiciary. Examples of Republicans appointing activist judges are legion. Dwight Eisenhower appointed Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, the modern poster boy of judicial activism. Richard Nixon appointed Justice Harry Blackmun, the author of Roe v. Wade.