(ARGM) - A plurality of adults in the United States maintains a positive assessment of the country's foremost court, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 45 per cent of respondents have a favourable opinion of the Supreme Court.

In the U.S., Supreme Court justices are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by a majority vote in the Senate. In September 2005, John Roberts was sworn in as the new chief justice. Roberts—who served as a judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit—was ratified in a 78-22 upper house vote. The 50-year-old Roberts became the youngest chief justice in two centuries.

In October 2005, Bush nominated U.S. Court of Appeals judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Bush had originally selected Harriet Miers to replace retiring justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but she withdrew her nomination. Alito was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Jan. 31. 58 per cent of respondents think the Supreme Court has the right amount of power.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government can collect money for leases on federal land for an indefinite number of years. In the 7-0 decision, Alito wrote that the arguments of the oil and gas industry to establish a six-year time limit for the government to file lawsuits based on federal contracts "are insufficient to overcome the plain meaning" of federal law.

Polling Data

Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of the Supreme Court?

Does the Supreme Court have too much power, not enough power, or about the right amount of power?

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