McConnell: Blocking Garland was "most consequential thing I've ever done"

Axios ^ | January 22, 2019 | Khorri Atkinson

[2ndDivisionVet]

Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who blocked former President Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland from ever having a hearing in 2016, told the New York Times Magazine that his "decision not to fill the [Justice Antonin] Scalia vacancy" was the "most consequential thing I've ever done."

The big picture: McConnell cited "a longstanding tradition of not filling vacancies on the Supreme Court in the middle of a presidential election year" in his refusal to even meet with Garland after the death of Scalia — a tradition deemed "false" and "entirely a matter of circumstance" by Politifact. Since Trump's election, McConnell has led the effort to reshape the ideological makeup of the federal judiciary, successfully confirming 2 Supreme Court justices and at least 84 lower-court judges...

[woweeitsme]

I would have to agree with him. His judge record is about the only feather in his cap. He’s been a pretty ineffective leader other than that.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Lying to the president and blocking the building of a secure border wall during Trump’s first two years is easily the most consequential thing Paul Ryan did. Let’s see what McConnell does.

[SaveFerris]

He got the Garland thing correct.

I was shocked.

[AU72]

He needs to end the log-jam on hundreds of judicial appointments.

[an amused spectator]

a tradition deemed "false" and "entirely a matter of circumstance" by Politifact

If Corpseburg tips over in 2020, Politifakes will back-flip so fast on this that they'll snap their collective necks...

[dljordan]

“He needs to end the log-jam on hundreds of judicial appointments.”

His donors don’t want him to.

[dontreadthis]

“only consequential thing I’ve ever done.”

[Responsibility2nd]

This fool could have blocked Obamacare. Or at least put a serious dent in it. He could’ve been a great leader. But he was just another squishy RINO Repug.

[an amused spectator]

He needs to end the log-jam on hundreds of judicial appointments.

Senate GOP set to advance rules change for Trump nominees next week
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3725871/posts

"The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nominations of 44 of President Trump's judicial appointees, as Democrats complained Republicans are moving too quickly on unqualified or controversial nominees" CNN - 5:50PM EST

[shelterguy]

as Democrats complained Republicans are moving too quickly on unqualified or controversial nominees
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every Trump nominee is controversial. Democrats are all going to vote NO on everyone anyhow so let er rip.

[PCPOET7]

I look ay Anthon Scalia’s death as highly suspicious. Wating till Obama was out of office changed a major part of world history if Obama had gotten his pick I am positive that after winning the election the demacrat party would of used the supream court to Denny Trump the presidency. We came real close to losing this nation to communist infiltrators and criminal political organizations linked together through connections of crime.

[jocon307]

Yes, yes it was. Kudos Cocaine Mitch!

[faithhopecharity]

he should ask PDJT to nominate a replacement for the corpse currently occupying a seat on the court

and start hearings to confirm him or her

let the chips fall where they may, it is worth doing

[JonPreston]

I’ve been watching the Turtle for decades. It’s the ONLY thing he’s done.

[gibsonguy]

Let’s not forget he fully expected HRC to win.

[faithhopecharity]

Hummmmm...

[Ann Archy]

YES IT WAS!! NOW GROW A PAIR....there is WAY more work to be done!

[dirtymac]

At least he is honest enough to admit he has not anything of any consequence for the 103 years he has been in office so that anything, including being negative, makes it to the top of his list. I have had mixed feeling about Garland but to make this as the most consequential does not say a lot about his book of life achievements. The prime speaker at his retirement party will not have a lot to say.

[Boomer]

McConnell cited "a longstanding tradition of not filling vacancies on the Supreme Court in the middle of a presidential election year" in his refusal to even meet with Garland after the death of Scalia — a tradition deemed "false" and "entirely a matter of circumstance" by Politifact.

AKA the Biden rule but not just any election; one in which the President is not eligible for reelection. The end of his second term. A lame duck President.