A total of eight Supreme Court nominees have failed to get a seat on the high court . Ebenezer Hoar got a vote down after blocking a well - trod route for patronage . Such was the case of Harriet Miers , whom President George W. Bush nominated in 2005 , but withdrew under criticism that she was unqualified . William Peckham and William Henry Hornblower won through home rule courtesy . Newspaper claimed Alexander Wolcott 's nomination shocked the country .
A total of eight Supreme Court nominees have failed to get a seat on the high court . Ebenezer Hoar got a vote down after blocking a well - trod route for patronage . William Peckham and William Henry Hornblower won through home rule courtesy . Newspaper claimed Alexander Wolcott 's nomination shocked the country .