Hillary Clinton: Can I nominate a Supreme Court justice after I'm sworn in? Mitch McConnell: Yes, but you can't be sworn in while there's a Supreme Court vacancy.
Of greater concern is the loss of US credibility as world leader during a time whenEurope is facing division due to refugees from Middle East now in ashes & turmoil. Russia, & China see opportunity to gain from our dysfunction polarized weakness. Trump as president will insure a US revolution or worse.
And the fact that the Constitution says absolutely nothing about a Supreme Court judge – or anyone, for that matter, being required for the swearing in process, means that, to McConnell, the Original Constitution requires that the swearing in be done by a state-approved high priest, with the president-elect placing their hand on a stack of bibles.
For those that know history though the Federalist Party pretty much dissolved after trumpeting the Alien and Sedition Acts with the resultant election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800, John Adams had the last laugh by his last-minute appointment of John Marshall as Chief Justice who presided for 30 more years and was key in the famous Marburry v Madison decision that cemented SCOTUS power to rule on the constitutionality of an issue
The seat will have to remain vacant for a year or more for the Senate Republicans to stick to their declared intention to not consider anyone President Obama might nominate to replace the Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. That would be the longest vacancy on the court in almost 50 years. The Republicans are proud of this.
As if everything wasn’t already enough of a clustersnuggle, now Obama’s constitutionally obligated to nominate a new Widow of Ronald Reagan, and McConnell is vowing to let THAT wait until 2017 as well.
“There were two extended vacancies in the 20th century: the 391 days from the resignation of Abe Fortas in May 1969 to Harry Blackmun’s swearing-in in June 1970, and the 237 days from Lewis Powell’s retirement in June 1987 to Anthony Kennedy’s swearing-in in February 1988.”Nixon had two nominees voted down before Blackmun was confirmed.Reagan had one nominee rejected & one nominee who withdrew before Kennedy was confirmed.As i’ve been saying, the blanket refusal to even consider anyone Obama nominates is pure partisan politics. If Obama nominates someone unacceptable to the majority of the Senate, so be it.
Ottodesu about 8 years ago
HA!hahaahaha
feverjr Premium Member about 8 years ago
Mitch couldn’t stop Obama’s second term so he’ll force him to serve a third
Darsan54 Premium Member about 8 years ago
You know, this sounds exactly like Republican reasoning these days.
Happy Two Shoes about 8 years ago
When the democratic president swears in two liberal judges it will be the end of what’s left of the GOP and about time.
jim.bullard about 8 years ago
Catch twenty coup.
Banjo Gordy Premium Member about 8 years ago
Of greater concern is the loss of US credibility as world leader during a time whenEurope is facing division due to refugees from Middle East now in ashes & turmoil. Russia, & China see opportunity to gain from our dysfunction polarized weakness. Trump as president will insure a US revolution or worse.
edward thomas Premium Member about 8 years ago
And remember, Trump and Putin have said nice things about each other. Manchurian Candidate, anyone?
Cerabooge about 8 years ago
And the fact that the Constitution says absolutely nothing about a Supreme Court judge – or anyone, for that matter, being required for the swearing in process, means that, to McConnell, the Original Constitution requires that the swearing in be done by a state-approved high priest, with the president-elect placing their hand on a stack of bibles.
tbally57 about 8 years ago
For those that know history though the Federalist Party pretty much dissolved after trumpeting the Alien and Sedition Acts with the resultant election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800, John Adams had the last laugh by his last-minute appointment of John Marshall as Chief Justice who presided for 30 more years and was key in the famous Marburry v Madison decision that cemented SCOTUS power to rule on the constitutionality of an issue
Mr. Blawt about 8 years ago
The seat will have to remain vacant for a year or more for the Senate Republicans to stick to their declared intention to not consider anyone President Obama might nominate to replace the Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. That would be the longest vacancy on the court in almost 50 years. The Republicans are proud of this.
fritzoid Premium Member about 8 years ago
As if everything wasn’t already enough of a clustersnuggle, now Obama’s constitutionally obligated to nominate a new Widow of Ronald Reagan, and McConnell is vowing to let THAT wait until 2017 as well.
Uncle Joe Premium Member about 8 years ago
“There were two extended vacancies in the 20th century: the 391 days from the resignation of Abe Fortas in May 1969 to Harry Blackmun’s swearing-in in June 1970, and the 237 days from Lewis Powell’s retirement in June 1987 to Anthony Kennedy’s swearing-in in February 1988.”Nixon had two nominees voted down before Blackmun was confirmed.Reagan had one nominee rejected & one nominee who withdrew before Kennedy was confirmed.As i’ve been saying, the blanket refusal to even consider anyone Obama nominates is pure partisan politics. If Obama nominates someone unacceptable to the majority of the Senate, so be it.