Posted on 02/18/2016 11:33:53 AM PST by jazusamo
The White House is defending President Obama's decision not to attend the funeral of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and pushed back on critics who called it a deliberate snub.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Thursday it makes sense to send Vice President Biden to the funeral instead because his "security footprint is a little bit lighter" and he has a longtime relationship with Scalia's family.
Earnest called it disrespectful for Obama's critics to use the funeral "as some kind of political cudgel."
Republicans have slammed Obama for not attending the funeral of the longtime conservative justice, interpreting it as a sign of disrespect to someone who was often at odds with the president.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a 2016 presidential candidate, on Thursday dubbed Obama "a lawless and faithless president who's eager to travel to Cuba but unwilling to attend the funeral of Justice Scalia."
In lieu of attending the funeral, Obama is paying his respects to Scalia and his family on Friday while his body lies in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court.
The White House hasn't said what the president will be doing during Scalia's funeral on Saturday, which will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine in Northeast Washington.
Biden was a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee when President Ronald Reagan nominated Scalia in 1986. He joined 98 other senators who voted to confirm him. He said seven years later it was the vote he most regretted "because he was so effective."
The vice president said Saturday that Scalia would be remembered as "one of our most influential justices."
It avoids this kind of disrespect:
—
Exactly.
Another thing to consider: Obama would be very uncomfortable. Holy water, Crucifixes and prayers, etc. would make him wilt. I’m serious.
Mine either. But you know, I would be VERY happy to attend Obie's.
I DO NOT believe Justice Scallia would want Obama any where near his funeral!! I am VERY GLAD he is staying away Scallia deserves to rest in peace!!!!
She’s “authentically black”
Baraq is just a Halfrican....
True, but his girlfriend Helle Thorning-Schmidt is not expected to be at the Scalia funeral so it ain't worth the effort ...
Good excuses Josh. You must have convinced your teachers that the dog ate your homework.
5.56mm
Does anyone other than Robert Davi on Breitbart have the guts to call this what it is, racist by any definition of the word.
Obama couldn’t stomach a Catholic ceremony.
apparently he will be in Pais visiting and consoling the victims of the terrorist attacks he missed the march for last year.
I would be VERY happy to dance at Obie’s!!!
It sure is.
“Is this the same President who travelled half way across the globe to attend Nelson Mandela’s funeral?”
Yup, an stood next to a guy flashing gang signs during the funeral!
Typical Obama,day late and a dollar short.
Typical Obama,day late and a dollar short.
YES....glad someone said it.
There ya go. Africa’s native son, Barack Obama, has a much smaller security footprint there than in the US.
Absolutely - they don’t need the security hassle if nothing else.
Absolutely - they don’t need the security hassle if nothing else.
Black Robes Matter !!!
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