Excerpt
Slow erosion of conservative, Republican dominance of lower courts largely obscured by Supreme Court debate
Lost in the gathering debate over President Barack Obama's next Supreme Court pick, a profound shift in the federal judiciary is taking place below the high court.
Working methodically, and drawing sporadic fire from left and right, Obama is gradually reshaping the U.S. courts.
Already, he's tipped the balance of two appellate circuits to Democratic-appointed majorities, with a third about to flip. He also is choosing a larger proportion of women and minorities for lifetime federal judgeships than other presidents.
The diversity of his nominees is "striking. He's clearly, I think, eclipsed everyone, and so early in the administration," said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor who follows federal court issues.
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