Posted on 02/14/2016 12:45:02 PM PST by SeekAndFind
After Justice Antonin Scalia's death Saturday at 79, the Supreme Court is now evenly divided between four liberal justices and four conservatives, even with Anthony Kennedy's occasional swings. What a moment for Scalia to depart: The court faces a wild array of closely divided decisions. It is an election year. And President Obama has stacked the lower circuit courts with Democrats. Obama has been chewing on his legacy for months. Fate has handed him the opportunity of any presidency -- to swing the balance of the Supreme Court from conservative to liberal.
Scalia weighed heavily on the conservative tilt of the current court, registering as more conservative even than other Republican justices in every field except on international and defense issues. There is no other justice whose replacement would more profoundly affect the court's orientation. The court's docket this term shows a clear intent to rule on some of the most contentious issues in the society: abortion, unionization, presidential power, affirmative action, political representation. Nothing in the presidential election in the fall matters more than the ability to shape the court. Now everyone should know that, including an incumbent who once taught constitutional law.
Any nominee, of course, would have to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. Leaders there, and also most GOP presidential candidates, are already making clear that they intend to block Obama. But they may not realize that leaving Scalia's seat vacant plays right into his hands.
The court is not yet halfway through the 80 or 90 cases it deals with each term, but many of the most contentious have already been heard. Normally, justices meet the week a case is argued, and vote on the outcome. So they have most likely already voted on pending cases on apportionment and affirmative action, for example.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Independent analysis of facts is forbidden, comrade.
“How do we get rid of lifetime appointments ?
To the Supreme Court? Well, we could all move to Venezuela or some other banana republic.”
If Obama gets his way, before he leaves office, (if he leaves) we will already be a banana republic.
The term is over and any new judge would not have not had time to deliberate over the substance of the cases. He/she ought to recuse themselves anyway.
That’s a great point. You’re right.
Well, it's liberal logic, so don't expect it make any sense.
This is typical democrat fascist trash talk intended to encourage the Republican hogs to shrug their shoulders, give Barry what he wants, and go back to feeding at the trough.
Was this written by McConnel and Boehner?
“We can’t oppose Obama because he opposes us.”
BORK!!!
Nope. We win.
Excellent observation.
She makes no sense. (She works for the Compost)
She’s saying the Republicans better confirm right away whoever Obama nominates otherwise some of the 4-4 decisions this year will go in Obama’s favor?!
And what would happen if Obama’s stooge gets confirmed?
Well, w’ll see if Grassley is steadfast. If Hatch were chairman, there would be a quick cave for sure.
S.RES. 334. EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE PRES. SHOULD NOT MAKE RECESS APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT, EXCEPT TO PREVENT OR END A BREAKDOWN IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURTâS BUSINESS. KEATING MOTION TO RECOMMIT TO JUDICARY COMM.
Dems in Senate passed a resolution in 1960 against election year Supreme Court appointments
By Thomas Lifson
Read it and weep, Democrats. The shoe is on the other foot. David Bernstein at the Washington Postâs Volokh Conspiracy blog:
Thanks to a VC commenter, I discovered that in August 1960, the Democrat-controlled Senate passed a resolution, S.RES. 334, Expressing the sense of the Senate that the president should not make recess appointments to the Supreme Court, except to prevent or end a breakdown in the administration of the Courtâs business. Each of President Eisenhowerâs SCOTUS appointments had initially been a recess appointment who was later confirmed by the Senate, and the Democrats were apparently concerned that Ike would try to fill any last-minute vacancy that might arise with a recess appointment.
The GOP opposed this, of course. Hypocrisy goes two ways. But the majority won.
As it should this time.
S.RES. 334. EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE PRES. SHOULD NOT MAKE RECESS APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT, EXCEPT TO PREVENT OR END A BREAKDOWN IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURTâS BUSINESS. KEATING MOTION TO RECOMMIT TO JUDICARY COMM.
Repubs should have been quoting that all day today!!
S.RES. 334. EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE PRES. SHOULD NOT MAKE RECESS APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT, EXCEPT TO PREVENT OR END A BREAKDOWN IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURT’S BUSINESS. KEATING MOTION TO RECOMMIT TO JUDICARY COMM.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/86-1960/s415
Oh - and there’s this cutie Schumer thing (you’ll like this one too dpo622):
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