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Clarence Thomas was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton.
Answer: False
Explanation: President George H.W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas, not Bill Clinton.
Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice, retired before Clarence Thomas was nominated.
Answer: True
Explanation: Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice, retired, creating the vacancy that Clarence Thomas was nominated to fill.
At the time of his nomination, Clarence Thomas was serving as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Answer: False
Explanation: At the time of his nomination, Clarence Thomas was serving as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, not the Ninth Circuit.
Clarence Thomas had previously served as the chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Answer: True
Explanation: Prior to his appointment to the federal appellate court, Clarence Thomas served as the chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Kenneth M. Duberstein served as one of Clarence Thomas's 'sherpas' during his confirmation process.
Answer: True
Explanation: Kenneth M. Duberstein, along with John C. Danforth, served as 'sherpas' or advisors to Clarence Thomas during his confirmation process.
Thurgood Marshall was known for his conservative legal opinions during his time on the Supreme Court.
Answer: False
Explanation: Thurgood Marshall was known for his pioneering civil rights advocacy and liberal legal opinions, not conservative ones.
The official portrait mentioned in the infobox shows Clarence Thomas as a Supreme Court Justice.
Answer: False
Explanation: The official portrait mentioned in the source material depicts Clarence Thomas as the chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), not as a Supreme Court Justice.
Clarence Thomas became the 106th member of the Supreme Court upon taking the oath of office.
Answer: True
Explanation: Upon taking the oath of office, Clarence Thomas officially became the 106th member of the Supreme Court.
Who nominated Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court of the United States?
Answer: President George H.W. Bush
Explanation: President George H.W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.
Whom did Clarence Thomas replace on the Supreme Court?
Answer: Justice Thurgood Marshall
Explanation: Clarence Thomas was nominated to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Thurgood Marshall.
What was Clarence Thomas's professional background immediately prior to his Supreme Court nomination?
Answer: Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Explanation: Immediately prior to his Supreme Court nomination, Clarence Thomas was serving as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Who acted as Clarence Thomas's 'sherpas' during his confirmation process?
Answer: Kenneth M. Duberstein and John C. Danforth
Explanation: Kenneth M. Duberstein, a former White House Chief of Staff, and John C. Danforth, a former Senator, acted as Thomas's advisors, guiding him through the confirmation process.
Anita Hill, a law professor, alleged that Clarence Thomas made unwelcome sexual comments and discussed pornographic films with her.
Answer: True
Explanation: Anita Hill testified that Clarence Thomas made unwelcome sexual comments and discussed pornographic films with her.
Anita Hill testified that Thomas asked her who had put pubic hair on his Coke can.
Answer: True
Explanation: Anita Hill testified that Clarence Thomas asked her, 'Who has put pubic hair on my Coke?' after retrieving a soda from his desk.
Anita Hill testified that Thomas frequently discussed his own sexual prowess and made references to a porn star named Long Dong Silver.
Answer: True
Explanation: Anita Hill testified that Clarence Thomas frequently made embarrassing references to a porn star named Long Dong Silver.
Anita Hill explained in her autobiography that she chose not to file a complaint earlier because she feared retaliation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Anita Hill stated in her autobiography that she assessed the situation and chose not to file a complaint at the time of the alleged harassment, emphasizing it was her right, rather than solely due to fear of retaliation.
Who made allegations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas during the confirmation hearings?
Answer: Anita Hill
Explanation: Anita Hill, a law professor, made allegations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas during the confirmation hearings.
How did Anita Hill's allegations initially become public knowledge?
Answer: Via a leak from a confidential FBI report to NPR.
Explanation: Anita Hill's allegations became public knowledge through a leak from a confidential FBI report to NPR.
According to Anita Hill's testimony, what specific item did Clarence Thomas allegedly ask about regarding pubic hair?
Answer: His Coke can
Explanation: Anita Hill testified that Clarence Thomas asked her, 'Who has put pubic hair on my Coke?' after retrieving a soda from his desk.
Anita Hill's allegations were first made public through a formal complaint filed with the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Answer: False
Explanation: Anita Hill's allegations became public knowledge through a leak from a confidential FBI report to NPR, not through a formal complaint filed directly with the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Clarence Thomas denied all allegations made by Anita Hill during his confirmation hearings.
Answer: True
Explanation: Clarence Thomas vehemently denied all allegations of sexual harassment made by Anita Hill during his confirmation hearings.
Clarence Thomas famously described the proceedings against him as a 'high-tech lynching'.
Answer: True
Explanation: During his testimony, Clarence Thomas famously described the confirmation process and the allegations against him as a 'high-tech lynching'.
The American Bar Association (ABA) rated Clarence Thomas as 'unqualified' for the Supreme Court.
Answer: False
Explanation: The American Bar Association (ABA) rated Clarence Thomas as 'qualified' for the Supreme Court, although this rating was considered to have low support among committee members.
Clarence Thomas described the confirmation hearings as a 'circus' and a 'national disgrace'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Clarence Thomas characterized the confirmation hearings as a 'circus' and a 'national disgrace' during his testimony.
Senator Joe Biden questioned Thomas about Richard Epstein's book 'Takings: Private Property and the Power of Eminent Domain'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Senator Joe Biden, then Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, questioned Clarence Thomas regarding the ideas presented in Richard Epstein's book 'Takings: Private Property and the Power of Eminent Domain'.
Clarence Thomas believed the FBI report containing Hill's allegations was intentionally leaked to the media by committee staffers.
Answer: True
Explanation: Clarence Thomas asserted that the FBI report containing Hill's allegations was searched for by committee staffers, leaked to the media, and then validated by the committee and Senate.
The ABA's rating of 'qualified' for Thomas was considered a strong endorsement with widespread support.
Answer: False
Explanation: The ABA's 'qualified' rating for Thomas was considered to represent one of the lowest levels of support for Supreme Court nominees, not a strong endorsement.
Clarence Thomas believed the 'high-tech lynching' referred to a fair and impartial review of his qualifications.
Answer: False
Explanation: Clarence Thomas viewed the 'high-tech lynching' not as a fair review, but as a politically motivated attack orchestrated to destroy him.
The final Senate vote on Thomas's nomination was postponed due to reports of his conservative judicial philosophy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The final Senate vote was postponed due to the leak of Anita Hill's allegations and the subsequent decision to reopen the confirmation hearings, not due to concerns about his conservative judicial philosophy.
Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson reported that Senator Joe Biden did not call Angela Wright to testify during the hearings.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson reported that Senator Joe Biden, as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, did not call Angela Wright to testify during the hearings.
Clarence Thomas stated he had a firm position on Roe v. Wade during his confirmation hearings.
Answer: False
Explanation: During his confirmation hearings, Clarence Thomas stated he had not formulated a position on Roe v. Wade, rather than having a firm stance.
Clarence Thomas viewed the media coverage and Senate validation of Hill's allegations as contributing to a 'high-tech lynching'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Clarence Thomas viewed the media coverage and the Senate Judiciary Committee's validation of Hill's allegations as integral parts of the 'high-tech lynching' he experienced.
Which of the following was a primary reason the nomination of Clarence Thomas became contentious?
Answer: Concerns surrounding abortion and his conservative political views
Explanation: Concerns regarding abortion and Thomas's conservative political views were primary reasons for the contentious nature of his nomination.
What phrase did Clarence Thomas use to describe the confirmation process?
Answer: A high-tech lynching
Explanation: Clarence Thomas famously described the confirmation process as a 'high-tech lynching'.
What rating did the American Bar Association (ABA) give Clarence Thomas's nomination?
Answer: Qualified
Explanation: The ABA's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary rated Thomas as 'qualified' for the Supreme Court.
What did Clarence Thomas state about his position on Roe v. Wade during the confirmation hearings?
Answer: He stated he had not formulated a position on Roe v. Wade.
Explanation: During his confirmation hearings, Clarence Thomas stated he had not formulated a position on Roe v. Wade.
What was the significance of the ABA committee's rating Thomas as 'qualified'?
Answer: It was considered one of the lowest levels of support for Supreme Court nominees.
Explanation: The ABA's 'qualified' rating for Thomas was considered to represent one of the lowest levels of support for Supreme Court nominees, despite the committee ultimately finding him qualified.
What did Clarence Thomas claim about the origin of the leak of Anita Hill's allegations?
Answer: Committee staffers searched for and leaked the report.
Explanation: Clarence Thomas asserted that the FBI report containing Hill's allegations was searched for by committee staffers, leaked to the media, and then validated by the committee and Senate.
Which organization's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary evaluated Thomas's nomination?
Answer: The American Bar Association (ABA)
Explanation: The American Bar Association's (ABA) Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary evaluated Thomas's nomination.
Supporters of Clarence Thomas testified that his alleged behavior was out of character.
Answer: True
Explanation: Several individuals who had worked with Thomas testified that the alleged behavior was out of character for him.
Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson concluded in their book that Thomas likely told the truth under oath.
Answer: False
Explanation: Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson, in their book 'Strange Justice,' concluded that the preponderance of the evidence suggested Thomas lied under oath, contrary to the statement that he likely told the truth.
David Brock initially defended Anita Hill but later recanted his support.
Answer: False
Explanation: David Brock initially attacked Anita Hill's credibility but later recanted his support for that position, admitting he had lied to protect Clarence Thomas's reputation.
In his memoirs, Clarence Thomas described Anita Hill as having a mediocre work performance.
Answer: True
Explanation: In his memoirs, Clarence Thomas described Anita Hill's work performance as mediocre.
Investigative reporter Ken Foskett concluded that it was implausible Thomas made all the statements Anita Hill alleged.
Answer: True
Explanation: Investigative reporter Ken Foskett concluded in his book that while some of Anita Hill's allegations might be plausible, it seemed implausible that Thomas made all the statements as described.
David Brock admitted in his 2003 book that he had lied to protect Clarence Thomas's reputation.
Answer: True
Explanation: In his 2003 book, David Brock admitted that he had previously lied in print to protect Clarence Thomas's reputation.
Angela Wright told Senate staff that Thomas pressured her for dates and commented on her breast size.
Answer: True
Explanation: Angela Wright informed Senate Judiciary Committee staff that Thomas pressured her for dates and commented on her breast size.
Sukari Hardnett stated that working for Clarence Thomas involved being 'inspected and auditioned as a female' if young, Black, and attractive.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sukari Hardnett stated that for young, Black, and attractive employees working for Clarence Thomas, there was an understanding that they were being 'inspected and auditioned as a female'.
In his memoirs, Thomas described Anita Hill as a 'right-winger' who often discussed religion.
Answer: False
Explanation: In his memoirs, Clarence Thomas described Anita Hill as a 'left-winger' who rarely discussed religion, contrary to the assertion that she was a 'right-winger' who often discussed religion.
The book 'Strange Justice' concluded that the evidence strongly suggested Thomas lied under oath about harassing Anita Hill.
Answer: True
Explanation: 'Strange Justice' by Mayer and Abramson concluded that the preponderance of the evidence suggested Thomas lied under oath regarding the harassment allegations.
What did Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson conclude in their book 'Strange Justice' about Thomas's testimony?
Answer: That the preponderance of the evidence suggests Thomas lied under oath.
Explanation: In their investigative book 'Strange Justice,' reporters Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson concluded that 'the preponderance of the evidence suggests' Thomas lied under oath when he testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had not harassed Anita Hill.
How did David Brock's views on Anita Hill's allegations change over time, according to the source?
Answer: He initially attacked her credibility but later admitted he had lied to protect Thomas.
Explanation: David Brock initially published work attacking Anita Hill's veracity but later recanted, admitting he had lied to protect Clarence Thomas's reputation.
Which of the following individuals made allegations similar to Anita Hill's regarding Clarence Thomas's behavior?
Answer: Angela Wright
Explanation: Angela Wright, a former subordinate of Thomas at the EEOC, made allegations similar to those made by Anita Hill.
Why did Angela Wright and Rose Jourdain not testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee?
Answer: The committee dismissed them without allowing testimony.
Explanation: Angela Wright and Rose Jourdain, who had made statements supporting Hill's allegations, were dismissed by the Judiciary Committee without testifying.
What did Sukari Hardnett suggest about the work environment under Clarence Thomas for certain employees?
Answer: It involved being 'inspected and audited as a female' if young, Black, and attractive.
Explanation: Sukari Hardnett stated that for young, Black, and attractive employees working for Clarence Thomas, there was an understanding that they were being 'inspected and auditioned as a female'.
What did the book 'Strange Justice' by Mayer and Abramson conclude about the evidence concerning Thomas's testimony?
Answer: The evidence suggested Thomas likely lied under oath about the harassment.
Explanation: In their book 'Strange Justice,' Mayer and Abramson concluded that the preponderance of the evidence suggested Thomas likely lied under oath regarding the harassment allegations.
In his 2007 memoirs, how did Clarence Thomas describe Anita Hill's work performance?
Answer: Mediocre
Explanation: In his memoirs, Clarence Thomas described Anita Hill's work performance as mediocre.
What did Clarence Thomas's autobiography say about Anita Hill's political leanings during their time working together?
Answer: She was a 'left-winger' who never expressed religious sentiments.
Explanation: In his memoirs, Clarence Thomas described Anita Hill as a 'left-winger' who rarely discussed religion during their time working together.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously recommended Clarence Thomas's confirmation to the full Senate.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Senate Judiciary Committee did not unanimously recommend Thomas's confirmation; instead, it voted 13-1 to send the nomination to the full Senate without a recommendation.
Clarence Thomas was confirmed by the Senate with a wide margin of 75 votes in favor.
Answer: False
Explanation: Clarence Thomas was confirmed by the Senate with a narrow margin of 52 votes in favor to 48 against, not 75 votes.
The confirmation vote for Clarence Thomas showed a significant bipartisan split.
Answer: True
Explanation: The final Senate vote of 52-48, with a mix of party support and opposition, clearly indicated a significant bipartisan split on Thomas's confirmation.
The 48% of senators who voted against Thomas's confirmation represented the lowest opposition percentage for a successful nominee in over a century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 48% opposition to Thomas's confirmation represented the highest percentage against a successful nominee in over a century, not the lowest.
The motion to report Thomas's nomination favorably to the full Senate passed the Judiciary Committee with a 7-7 tie.
Answer: False
Explanation: The motion to report Thomas's nomination favorably to the full Senate failed, as the Judiciary Committee voted 7-7 on the matter.
Clarence Thomas took the oath of office as a Supreme Court Justice on October 15, 1991.
Answer: False
Explanation: Clarence Thomas took the oath of office as a Supreme Court Justice on October 23, 1991, not October 15.
The 99-day period between Thomas's nomination and confirmation was the shortest for a Supreme Court nominee since 1975.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 99-day period between Thomas's nomination and confirmation was the second longest for a Supreme Court nominee receiving a final vote since 1975, not the shortest.
The vote breakdown showed that a majority of Democrats voted in favor of confirming Thomas.
Answer: False
Explanation: A majority of Democrats voted against confirming Thomas; the vote breakdown shows 46 Democrats voted 'Nay' compared to 11 Democrats who voted 'Yea'.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-1 to send Thomas's nomination to the full Senate without recommendation.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-1 to send Thomas's nomination to the full Senate without recommendation.
What was the outcome of the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote on a motion to report Thomas's nomination favorably?
Answer: It failed with a 7-7 tie.
Explanation: The motion to report Thomas's nomination favorably to the full Senate failed, as the Judiciary Committee voted 7-7 on the matter.
By what margin was Clarence Thomas confirmed by the full Senate?
Answer: Confirmed 52-48
Explanation: The Senate confirmed Clarence Thomas by a narrow margin of 52 votes in favor to 48 against.
What was the significance of the 99-day period between Thomas's nomination and the final Senate vote?
Answer: It was the second longest confirmation process for a Supreme Court nominee since 1975.
Explanation: The 99-day duration was the second longest for a Supreme Court nominee receiving a final vote since 1975, highlighting the intense scrutiny and debate surrounding Thomas's nomination.
What was the party breakdown of the Senate vote confirming Clarence Thomas?
Answer: 41 Republicans and 11 Democrats voted Yes; 46 Democrats and 2 Republicans voted No.
Explanation: The Senate vote breakdown for Clarence Thomas's confirmation was 41 Republicans and 11 Democrats voting 'Yea,' while 46 Democrats and 2 Republicans voted 'Nay'.
The nomination of Clarence Thomas was universally supported by women's groups and civil rights organizations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Many women's groups and civil rights organizations opposed Thomas's nomination due to concerns about his conservative judicial philosophy and its potential impact on the Court.
Anita Hill's testimony is credited with increasing national awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Answer: True
Explanation: Anita Hill's testimony during the confirmation hearings is widely credited with significantly increasing national awareness and public discourse on the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Groups like the NAACP and National Organization for Women supported Thomas's nomination due to his conservative views.
Answer: False
Explanation: Organizations like the NAACP and National Organization for Women opposed Thomas's nomination, fearing his conservative views would shift the Court to the right.
The Showtime film dramatizing the confirmation hearing was titled 'Confirmation'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Showtime film dramatizing the confirmation hearing was titled 'Strange Justice,' not 'Confirmation'.
Kerry Washington starred as Anita Hill in the HBO film 'Confirmation'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Kerry Washington starred as Anita Hill in the 2016 HBO film titled 'Confirmation'.
Michael Isikoff suggested the Thomas-Hill case influenced media coverage of later sexual harassment allegations against Bill Clinton.
Answer: True
Explanation: Michael Isikoff suggested that the media coverage and public discourse surrounding the Thomas-Hill case influenced how later allegations, such as those against Bill Clinton, were handled by the media.
Which of the following is cited as a cultural impact of the Anita Hill testimony?
Answer: Increased national awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Explanation: The public attention and debate surrounding Anita Hill's testimony are widely credited with significantly increasing national awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace.
What did Michael Isikoff suggest about the influence of the Thomas-Hill case?
Answer: It influenced how later allegations, like those against Bill Clinton, were handled by the media.
Explanation: Michael Isikoff suggested that the media coverage and public discourse surrounding the Thomas-Hill case influenced how later allegations, such as those against Bill Clinton, were handled by the media.
Which film dramatized the Senate hearing involving Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill, starring Kerry Washington?
Answer: Confirmation
Explanation: The 2016 HBO film that dramatized the Senate hearing was titled 'Confirmation,' starring Kerry Washington as Anita Hill.
What was the primary concern of women's groups and civil rights organizations regarding Thomas's nomination?
Answer: His conservative views potentially shifting the Court's ideological balance rightward.
Explanation: Women's groups and civil rights organizations were primarily concerned that Thomas's conservative views would shift the Supreme Court's ideological balance to the right.