David Atkinson of the University of Missouri-Kansas City presents Appointing the Supreme Court: From Truman to Obama.

During the last 65 years, the appointment of Supreme Court justices has developed into one of the most controversial and divisive constitutional responsibilities of a U.S. president.

Atkinson, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor of Political Science and Law at UMKC, has been a student of the Court for more than 40 years. Atkinson's experience makes him uniquely suited to compare and contrast the differences between the Court today and during Truman's era, paying close attention to the role of the news media and the Senate.