Vichy Republicans collaborating like its 1942.
Posted on 02/19/2016 11:17:38 AM PST by jazusamo
PastPresident Obama has begun to consult with key senators from both parties on nominating a successor to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the White House said Friday.
In the past 24 hours, Obama phoned Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), press secretary Josh Earnest said. Both senators have said replacing Scalia should be left to the next president.
Earnest described the calls as "entirely professional" and said Obama made clear "he is going to nominate someone."
"He is committed to talking to Congress," the spokesman added. "He reiterated his firm belief that the Senate has a constitutional obligation here as well."
Scalia's death last weekend set off a fierce partisan battle over whether Obama should nominate a replacement in the midst of the presidential election.
Obama spoke to Grassley Friday morning, after he co-authored an op-ed with McConnell in The Washington Post reiterating their stance the next president, and not Obama, should pick a replacement for the conservative jurist.
The president and his Democratic allies in Congress have said it would be irresponsible and unprecedented to leave a vacancy on the court that could last a year or more.
Earnest pointed out that both McConnell and Grassley supported the last Supreme Court nominee to receive a vote in a presidential election year: Anthony Kennedy in 1988.
"They know firsthand there is a clear precedent here," Earnest said.
The president also consulted with Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Judiciary Committee ranking member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
The conversations are an indication Obama's process to choose a Supreme Court nominee has begun in earnest.
White House aides have refused to provide a specific timeline for Obama's pick and have not hinted at which potential nominees are on the president's list.
Earnest did offer kind words for Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who has been mentioned in news reports as an option to fill Scalia's seat.
When asked about Lynch, the spokesman pointed out that Obama's last court nominee, Elena Kagan, served as solicitor general and her previous job in the administration did not "did not present obstacles that were insurmountable" to being confirmed.
He also noted Lynch received bipartisan support when she was confirmed as attorney general in 2014.
Over the weekend, Obama is expected to begin poring over materials compiled by his advisers about candidates for the high court. The files contain information about their records and professional careers, Earnest said.
Earnest indicated the White House hasn't settled on a final list of candidates for Obama to consider.
"The president does not have a shortlist, and the list has not been completed," he said. "This is the very beginning of the process."
So suddenly Obama is going to openly consult with Congress. Guess the backroom deal McConnell needed some help.
Vichy Republicans collaborating like its 1942.
ODUNGA TOOK HIS SWEET TIME TAKING 7 LONG YEARS TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE!
Vitchy McConnel will cave, and will not only confirm but expedite a judge who will not only rule the 1st, 2nd, and 10th amendments unconstitutional, but will also rule the entire constitution unconstitutional
Mitch,I’ d like to quote from your FBI file!
Why are they even answering his calls on this?
No wonder he gets his way on everything. I’m not getting my hopes up. I feel like they’re setting us up for one final crushing disappointment before November so they can use it to peddle more empty promises if we just keep electing them.
Yep, 0bama never works with Congress unless he nervous about not getting his way.
“My work is never done... always another palm to grease, always another weak sister that needs shoring up.”
J. R. Ewing
The senate has a power, not an obligation.
Power is meant to be used.
-PJ
Has 0bama ‘paid his respects’ to Scalia yet, or is this it?
The Justice is not even buried.
They should give obama a list of names to choose from. Not that any conservative nomination makes conservative decisions on the court these days anyway. Waiting a year to fill the spot is too long imho.
JUST SAY NO !!!!!!!!
Stand fast Sen. McConnell, our Republic is on the line.
*********************************************************
Well, I guess we’ll find out whether McConnell and Grassley will stand firm or will, instead, bend over and grab their ankles.
Good point, the Won and other are supposed to pay respects today but it looks as if the calls took precedence.
McConnell and Grassley must remember that Obama is Evil
You have confidence in Mitch?
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