Posted on 06/27/2018 2:20:07 PM PDT by Red Badger
MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews said on Wednesday that Democrats shouldn't even take meetings with President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee – who is yet to be named – to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy.
"I don't think the Democrats should allow even meetings to occur with Trump's nominee to fill this vacancy by Justice Kennedy," Matthews said.
Kennedy announced Wednesday he would retire, giving Trump the opportunity to make two appointments in two years to the nation's highest court. The vacancy sets up a bitter confirmation fight right before the midterm elections, where Republicans only have a single vote majority in the Senate. Despite the slim majority, Senate Republicans only need a simple majority to confirm the Supreme Court nominee after former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) eliminated the filibuster for judicial nominees.
Matthews brought up how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) blocked hearings and a vote for former President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland in 2016.
"I think they have to fight eye for an eye for what happened in '16 where the Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, refused to even consider or even meet with Merrick Garland. I think if the Democratic leadership under Schumer allows this to go forward, they're going to have a huge problem with the Democratic base," Matthews said.
"There is no way politically the Democratic base will stand for any kind of hearings or vote on a Trump nominee for the Supreme Court before the election," Matthews added. "We've got an election in four and a half months. There's no reason to consider a replacement on the Supreme Court in that time. No reason given the history of what happened."
MSNBC host Steve Kornacki asked Matthews how Democrats stop Trump's nominee going forward since they are the minority and no longer can filibuster the nominee.
"I guess the practical question is, if that's the approach Democrats want to take, how do they do it?" Kornacki asked. "Because they tried to filibuster the Garland — excuse me, they tried to filibuster the Gorsuch nomination. Republicans just did away with the filibuster. Republicans have 51 votes right now, 50 if McCain is sidelined. Still enough with Pence sitting there. If Republicans stay together, is there anything Democrats can do?"
Matthews responded with a long rant where he unhinged on past Supreme Court rulings.
"There's a lot of dilatory tactics they can use on every other bill before the Congress between now and November. If they don't use everything they've got, if they don't play hardball, I think they're through. I know the Democratic base. They are very angry about this leadership. They feel it has not fought hard enough against Trump and that they allow Trump to fill the Supreme Court with another conservative who will not share Justice Anthony Kennedy's views on social issues like marriage equality," Matthews said.
Matthew continued on in an effort to drive home his point Democrats will not accept the appointment of a conservative judge, saying the party's base is "wired" for a revolt.
But if he gets replaced by a hardline social conservative, it is – the Democratic leadership will have Hell to pay. They cannot let this happen. They have to play hardball. They've got to do exactly to the other side what Mitch McConnell did to them, play hardball and win. They must prevent the Republican-controlled Senate to pick another justice on this hard-right court. Look at the decision starting with Bush v. Gore. Look at the decision on the Heller case where everybody in the country can have the biggest gun they can buy. Look at the case on Citizens United where the people with the most money win all the elections. And then that God-awful decision yesterday on what is basically an anti-Muslim bill. They voted right down the line 5-4 in every case. The Democrats have got to fight for that fifth seat with everything they've got. If they allow this to proceed, they're going to look stupid, they're going to look weak, and they're going to be overthrown. I tell you, the Democratic base is wired now for a revolt. This will be the trigger for it. He shouldn't have a meeting with any of his nominees. They shouldn't have any hearings, they shouldn't show up for any hearings. They should fight this tooth and nail.
Kornacki tried to cut off Matthews to show the president's comments on Kennedy's annoucement.
"He's not going to decide this thing," Matthews said in reference to Trump.
Who knows what Mulehead is going to do.
Best. Administration. EVER!
It is people like Chris Matthews who are responsible for the new poll, out today, showing that 44% of Americans think we are headed to civil war. Those, like Matthews, who try day after day to destroy our President and our system of government will not win in the end. Those who start these national crisis do not finish them.
There is a philosophical battle for the supreme court. The Dems in the past (Thank you Harry Reid for the Nuclear Option) did everything they could in the past to tilt the courts left.
The media portrays strict constitutional judges as right wing. They are not right wing, they simply interpret The Constitution as it is written and not how they wish it were written. The left wing and they are left wing in our courts decree law based on political and social beliefs instead of constitutional law. As the great Anthony Scalia said, “The only thing wrong with a living Constitution is that will destroy The Constitution!
I would have no problem with a liberal judge if he were a strict constitutional scholar. However, if he were such he could not be a liberal.
Nice catch.
So, if Democrats will not even sow up for a hearing of the candidate, how will that endear them to independents and whatever remnant they have of moderate Democrats?
Democrats do not need to meet with the nominee nor have any part in the confirmation process.
Wait to Gingsburg resigns!
Trumps gonna make em walk the plank....heh heh..good times...
Technically true.
The first Senate hearings on a Supreme Court nomination occurred in 1968. Lyndon Johnson attempted to name Associate Justice Abe Fortas, his longtime fixer, to replace Chief Justice Earl Warren. The Republicans and Southern Democrats teamed up to prevent the lame duck Johnson from turning the Court even further left than it was. The hearings stopped Warren's replacement cold, and it was Nixon who named Warren Burger as his replacement.
There is no requirement for the Senate to hold hearings on judicial nominees, and the Republicans should set the precedent of ending the practice.
Chrissie Matthews is still in love with Barack Obama. So sad. the little bisexual is so angry his boyfriend is no longer the president. Now Chrissie thinks he makes decisions for the US People. He should realize no one cares about him
Actually Harry Reid established the precident. Mitch told him he would, "regret that decision." When Harry went nuclear for the lower court appointments Obama put as many super liberals on those courts as he could. However, Trump has appointed a replacement conservative after the tragic death Scalia. Kennedy is not a strict constitutional conservative. Regan thought he was, but was wrong.
Trump must choose wisely.
Ted Cruz is my great Senator from Texas. I do not see a path for him to be president, he wants to be and would be a good president. He would be a hell of a Supreme Court Justice. Oddly 30 years on the court can have more national effect than many presidents have had.
Chris Matthews should go bungee jumping from a 50 foot bridge with an 80 foot bungee cord. With all of that hot air coming from his mouth, he’d probably survive, but perhaps it would knock some sense into him.
Article II, section 2 provides that the president “shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint … judges of the Supreme Court.”
Good. Don’t meet the nominee. We don’t need — and would never get — your votes anyways.
I can’t wait for the committee hearings! The democrats are going to be absolutely out of their minds. Just spitting mad insane. Every day they will be creating new content for campaign ads right before the election.
get that reverse piss up your leg feeling Chris , its done
Hey Chris Matthews, why stop there. Why not take the Maxine approach and encourage democrats Senators to spit on the nominee or “get in his or her face.” Please please please please please continue the breakdown. PLEASE!!!!!
As someone said above, does this arse hat really think Manchin and the rest of the Red State democrats have a smoked chance in hell of winning their races if they oppose Trump’s nominee? Really?
Quote: “Hopefully McCain will be in Arlington by then>”
Which is why McConnell is giving this some time. Even Yurtle knows a good political opportunity when he sees one. The chance to fire up and engage the Republican base is yuge. The fundraising opportunities are huge. The chance to put the Red State democrats incumbent on the spot is huge.
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