11.   If that happens, the ad says, Bush will appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court.

12.   It warns that Bush will end legal abortions and appoint antiabortion justices to the Supreme Court.

13.   New Hampshire Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor, though Gov. Jeanne Shaheen has recently created a special screening commission in response to the crisis.

14.   Presidential candidates can campaign on the issue, promising to appoint justices who do not read the Bill of Rights to encompass pyromania.

15.   Republicans were attacking the Florida court even before it ruled in favor of hand recounts, because all seven justices were appointed by Democrats.

16.   The court rarely agrees to reconsider its rulings, but it occasionally does so when a new justice is appointed before the ruling becomes final.

17.   The Florida justices are appointed but subsequently face retention elections, and they know a little about the practicalities of politics.

18.   The panel will make a recommendation to Lippman, who will make the final decision on whether the acting justice should be appointed for another year.

19.   The seventh justice was appointed by Gov. Bob Graham, a Democrat who is now a U.S. senator.

20.   The seven justices were appointed by Democratic governors.