<P> Speculation abounded over potential nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States by Ronald Reagan even before his presidency officially began, due to the advanced ages of several justices, and Reagan's own highlighting of Supreme Court nominations as a campaign issue . Reagan had promised "to appoint only those opposed to abortion and the' judicial activism' of the Warren and Burger Courts". Conversely, some opposed to Reagan argued that he could "appoint as many as five Justices" and would "use the opportunity to stack the Court against women, minorities and social justice". </P> <P> During his 1980 campaign, Reagan pledged that, if given the opportunity, he would appoint the first female Supreme Court Justice . That opportunity came in his first year in office when he nominated Sandra Day O'Connor to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Potter Stewart . O'Connor was approved by the Senate by a vote of 99 - 0 on September 21, 1981 . Senator Max Baucus (D - MT) did not vote . </P> <P> In his second term, Reagan elevated William Rehnquist to succeed Warren Burger as Chief Justice . Rehnquist's confirmation was largely split along party lines, showing that he had not improved his standing among Senate Democrats since his contentious 1971 nomination to the Court . Rehnquist's elevation to Chief Justice was approved by the Senate by a vote of 65 - 33 on September 17, 1986 . Senators Jake Garn (R - UT) and Barry Goldwater (R - AZ) did not vote . Senator Alan Simpson (R - WY) made public note on the Senate floor that Senator Garn's vote would have been to confirm had he been present . </P> <P> Democratic Senators who voted against Rehnquist's confirmation as an Associate Justice in 1971 and as Chief Justice in 1986 were Alan Cranston (CA), Daniel Inouye (HI), Edward M. Kennedy (MA) and Claiborne Pell (RI). Two Democrats who voted for Rehnquist's nomination as Associate Justice voted against his nomination as Chief Justice, Thomas Eagleton (MO) and Robert Byrd (WV). </P>

Who was appointed to the supreme court in 1987