Comments on: Today’s not-that-big SCOTUS nomination story

By: Hugo S Cunningham

Hugo S Cunningham — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 12:20:23 +0000

@Dan–

Your scenario only makes sense if the Democrats also take the Senate (a roughly 50% possibility). Otherwise, the newly affirmed Republican majority could say their mandate is as good as Hillary’s. That would be especially true if Trump and a third-party conservative candidate got a combined popular vote total higher than Hillary’s. (This scenario might be the only way the Republicans *can* keep the Senate.)

Question for a legal expert: is the President’s power to withdraw a nomination immediate and absolute, or could the Senate vote to confirm a willing nominee if they did so quickly?

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 05:57:46 +0000

I think the end play for Obama is to pull his nomination as soon as it becomes clear Hillary has won. This will deny the GOP of a moderate they could have tolerated and it allows Hillary the chance to put a more liberal leaning SCOTUS. The GOP can’t stall for eight years and by then, she may get a shot at one or two more. Make them look stupid and get what they want. Win. That’s what you get for being seditious not doing your job.

By: Confirmation? Obama's own Alito stance has lit the way - Overlawyered

Confirmation? Obama's own Alito stance has lit the way - Overlawyered — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 04:45:44 +0000

[…] addition to the links yesterday on the nomination of D.C. Circuit Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the vacancy on the Supreme Court, […]

By: Wfjag

Wfjag — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:26:18 +0000

Sen McConnell – assuming he wants to remain Majority Leader – should schedule the vote for the 2d week of November.

If Hillary wins, vote to confirm since he’d be better than anyone she will nominate. If the Republican candidate wins, vote not to confirm and await a better nominee.

Meanwhile, an issue that could get people out to vote for incumbent Republican Senators is created — Do you want Dem Justices deciding on Hillary’s criminal case? It’s a reworking of the Watergate- Nixon case – with the added bonus of providing a reason to discuss Hillary’s firing by the Watergate Committee for ethical violations.

Or, McConnell can sit on it and give the Dems another “Party of ‘No'” campaign slogan.