Oct. 2, 1968:
If confirmed, Fortas would have succeeded Chief Justice Earl Warren, never a favorite among conservatives.
In the wake of a filibuster led by Senate Republicans and Southern Democrats, President Johnson withdraws the nomination of Abe Fortas to be Chief Justice of the United States.
The move follows a 45-43 vote in the Senate that refused to invoke cloture -- end debate -- and take up the nomination, well short of the two-thirds needed. It's the first time in history that the Senate refused to consider a nomination to the court.
Johnson had nominated Fortas, an old pal whom he named as an Associate Justice in 1965, to succeed retiring Chief Justice Earl Warren.
Today in Campaign History is a daily feature on Political Junkie.
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