Today's news has given me the perfect opportunity to re-enter the arena.
First let me express my sympathies to Mr. Justice Scalia's family - he was an important figure during his time on earth. I disagreed with him on everything but he was a Supreme Court Justice and the nation owes him it's respect and thanks.
It should come to no ones surprise that the GOP leaders are calling on the President to not fulfill his constitutional duties and not nominate a new Supreme Court Justice.
Of course if he does not make an appointment they will criticize him for not doing so.
The President should find the most reasonable and acceptable person he can find. Someone beloved by the legal community and the media, someone so mainstream that only any idiot would oppose him or her.
And, the Washington GOP will oppose this person because the colored usurper to the oval office nominated this person.
The Washington GOP does not want this nomination because they fear that their opposition to the nominee could destroy their chances for the White House and control of the Senate this November. They do not want the fight they are compelled by their base to have.
Tom Ridge or Lindsey Graham would be interesting choices that would create havoc for the the GOP.
The President will nominate someone to the Supreme Court as he is required to do by the Constitution of this great republic.
The next move is up to the Washington GOP. Do they put the nation first or do they succumb to the will of the Teabaggers who hold their leashes?
President Obama doesn't have much leeway on selecting a nominee to the Supreme Court. More likely than not, his nomination will be rejected by Republicans in the Judiciary Committee and defeated by the full Senate.
ReplyDeleteBut what do you suppose might happen if Obama were to nominate a senator to the Supreme Court? It may be difficult for senators to vote against one of their own.
I'm thinking specifically of Angus King of Maine, who was elected in 2012 as an independent. King was staff attorney for Pine Tree Legal Assistance at the start of his career. In the 1970s he was chief counsel for a U.S. Senate subcommittee. He was popular Democratic governor of Maine before being elected to the Senate in 2012.
At a minimum, nominating King might sway the vote of his Republican colleague in Maine, Sen. Susan Collins. Add three or four more Republican senators and the nomination may be confirmed (assuming, of course, that the issue of cloture could be resolved).
It's rare for a sitting senator to advance to the Supreme Court. In fact, it's happened only six times in history.
However, if Justice Scalia's seat isn't filled this year, there's a reasonable chance that it will be given to an equally conservative Republican.
Polls will fluctuate over the next eight months but the prospects now aren't certain for Democrats keeping the White House or retaking the Senate.
In RealClearPolitics' average of the most recent four national polls, Clinton leads Trump by just 4.7 percent (Trump was ahead in one of those polls). Clinton trails Cruz by 0.2 percent.
The Cook Political Report says chances are strong that the Senate will remain in Republican hands in 2017.
Both Sen King and Sen Collins would be exciting choices.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that the GOP Senators held up Mrs. Clinton's nomination for as long as they legally could just for spite.
The GOP has a lot of seats to retain this year and it does appear to be an anti Washington year but a Supreme Court battle could cause real damage to the GOP
Thanks for commenting Frank - it is nice to have a sensible responder - so many are tea baggers or loons