1.   The question of appointing judges to a constitutional court was left undecided, since only the Congress chairman could nominate the judges.

2.   Bush has waffled about nominating only judges who would stick to a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

3.   By allowing the president to nominate judges, the framers hoped that judicial appointees would have due respect for the authority of the national government.

4.   Champagne, who has written books on judicial selection in Texas, was particularly critical of the proposal to change the ways judges are nominated.

5.   Governments nominate the judges, and some have sent professors or former diplomats who have never sat on a bench.

6.   On abortion, Bush said he would nominate judges who strictly interpret the U.S. Constitution.

7.   He said Bush retains the authority to nominate judges he deems fit.