Final answer:
In 1987, the Senate refused to confirm the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court due to his perceived overly conservative views.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1987, the Senate refused to confirm the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. This rejection is often cited as a significant event in the politics surrounding the judicial confirmation process.
Despite President Ronald Reagan's nomination, Bork faced considerable opposition primarily due to his perceived conservative and "extremist" views of the Constitution. His nomination became a battleground between conservative and liberal forces in the country, resulting in a highly politicized confirmation process. Eventually, the Senate rejected Bork's nomination, leaving a lasting impression on the process of Supreme Court nominations and becoming a verb in the political lexicon - "to bork" someone - meaning to vigorously attack a candidate or appointee.
The saga of Bork's failed nomination has been paralleled by other contentious Supreme Court nomination processes in the years following, showcasing the often partisan nature of judicial confirmations.