While the Senate rarely rejects Supreme Court nominees, history has shown that when it does, the ripple effects can be far-reaching. In the years leading up to John J. Parker’s turn in the hot seat, several controversial nominations and bitter political battles presaged a brewing storm. Influential Senators and powerful outside interest groups had been sharpening their knives, eager for a fight. They got exactly that when President Hoover put Parker’s name forward, setting the stage for one of the most contentious Supreme Court confirmation battles of the era.