All Democrats are doing by raging against the nomination of Amy Barrett is demonstrating their own partisanship and making their calls for unity a lie. Barrett is certainly a strict constructionist, but is also considered "well qualified" by the ABA. Of course it's "unfair" that she is going to be confirmed prior to the election, but that's politics. It's an ugly game.
As for packing the court as a response, I would expand the court only if the Supreme Court felt it was necessary.
My only caveat would be that she recuse herself from any case involving the Presidential election.
43 comments:
This candidate is extremely qualified. The Supreme Court was designed to be followed exactly as written. The document can be updated, of course, through the amendment process.
There is NOTHING illegal about a new Justice being nominated in a situation like this proposed nomination. From a time basis, there is precedent for a new appointee to take his/her position this close to a Presidential election. Has happened several times in the past. No one can control when a Justice passes away.
There is NO legal requirement to even conduct the hearings going on today. The confirmation vote can be taken without are committee hearings beforehand. But, the dissenting Democrats are being affording the opportunity to make the audio/video sound bites this week, any way.
You are correct, Bernie, the opposition should be dropped. It’s senseless. Go right to the vote in the full Senate and every Democrat Senator can vote NO.
Democrats should keep up the harassing of Barrett. Just means more votes for Trump. Keep up the good work Demo's.
The appointment of a 9th Justice is critical. Especially should any challenges come up about the election. The idea that she recuse herself makes no sense. It is in times like these that we need the SCOTUS. All 9 of them.
As for appointing a Judge in an election year, you know darn well that the Dems would do the same thing if the shoe were on the other foot. To pretend otherwise is laughable. In addition this has been done 29 times before.
I agree that Senate democrats should drop their opposition, but they won't. That will likely help Trump and the republicans, but the democrats can't help themselves.
There is also nothing "unfair" about her being confirmed prior to the election. The procedure of the president making an appointment is mandated in the Constitution, and he is following it. The Senate gets to decide whether they want to confirm or not. That's the rule, like it or not.
There is no reason that she should have to recuse herself from any case, much less a case involving the election. She's being appointed to the Supreme Court to help decide cases, not sit on the sidelines for a phony political argument.
I also disagree about expanding the Supreme Court "if the Supreme Court feels it necessary". I think a far better approach would to have the people amend the Constitution to specify the number of justices to serve. Until that happens, it should stay as is.
Our government is supposed to get its power from us, right?
The "opposition" to Barrett serves to highlight the campaign issues the GOP really doesn't want to discuss, such as restricting Roe v Wade and marriage equality, or gutting the ACA.
Anon 10:20 said:
"The "opposition" to Barrett serves to highlight the campaign issues the GOP really doesn't want to discuss..."
Actually, it really highlights the campaign issues that the democrats don't want to discuss.
Prior to his election in 2016, Trump released a list of 15-20 potential appointees to the Supreme Court, should a vacancy come up. That's a large part of why his supporters voted for him.
In contrast, Joe Biden won't mention even one person he might appoint, much less give a list. And both he and his running mate won't even answer the simple question of whether they'll pack the Supreme Court should they be elected. Just the other day, Biden said voters "don't deserve to know."
No transparency on the Democrat side, coupled with an obvious arrogance and contempt for the voter, is not a good look.
Now I realize Joe might not know what he's saying since just yesterday he said he was running for the Senate, but that's a whole other issue.
I'm fine with discussing restricting Roe v Wade, given science and its remarkable advances in the last 40 years. I'm OK with marriage equality because it is ultimately leading to country wide acceptance of gun carry permits. It's interesting what some want registered and not registered. ACA doesn't need gutting. It's already done that to itself. But I'm fine talking about that, too. It wasn't healthcare reform. It was insurance reform and look who got rich while premiums doubled and policies were canceled. Insurance executives and the Martha's Vineyard Oceanfront Obamas.
For the Democrats to expect her to commit to any recusal is absolutely ridiculous. She has no case before her! She has heard no arguments, for or against. We do NOT want any Justice to take their seat with a pre-determined decision. Without ever hearing any specific argument!
On a positive note, so far, the Democrats have not trotted out a male witness who will claim (without evidence) that she engaged in an abusive sex act during college and is lying about the incident. That kind of low-rent stunt has been known to happen. Maybe, that will come this afternoon, or tomorrow.
This Supreme Court nominee is absolutely brilliant! She is totally in control of specifics about prior cases, including citing actual section numbers, etc. All without looking through a notebook for knowledge. No teleprompter being used, NOTHING written down ahead of time. A very focused and steadfast believer in our Constitution.
Wow. That’s everything we can ask for.
Given the GOP's refusal to consider Obama's nominee, not to mention many others for the federal courts, the Dems are justified in opposing Barrett on those grounds alone. I realize that she'll presumably be voted in anyway, but the Dems should make the GOP pay at the ballot box. And then they should add more seats to the court, just as the GOP has done with the circuit courts.
Anon 11:07 said:
"And then they should add more seats to the court, just as the GOP has done with the circuit courts."
Thank you for proving your ignorance.
The republicans haven't added any seats to the circuit courts. They have merely filled vacancies, as they are doing now with the Supreme Court.
Fair enough. I meant to say that the GOP refused to fill many of those seats during the Obama administration.
And your name-calling is most unbecoming.
Patrick Leahy of Vermont in putting down the Republican refusal to put Merrick Garland up for vote in an election year said that he voted for Republican Justices in election year's in the past.... Yes he did vote for Justice Kennedy .... Whom was President Reagan's third choice for Associate Justice ...But Kennedy was appointed, Robert Bork and Douglas Ginsburg where denied appointment by the Democratic Senate in one case by vote and other case by pressure.
Remarkably I felt the manipulation of politics in regard to a Allentown School district school director appointment ... There was a School Director resignation from a director moving to Texas ... So, so close to the primary the School Directors wanted the appointee to agree to not running for the open seat in the primary ... For a while I was the only one who agreed to not run for office but seek the temporary appointment to the end of the term ... But I also found that the deadline was extended drawing in one more amd then extended again drawing in m ore at the last moment .. But the School Directors as the filing deadline came elected not to fill the appointment with those that applied... Instead they appointed the only new person who received enough nominations to run for the school leaving a minimum amount of people running with no extra candidates... Assuring the election of the new guy on the block who was a police officer and the friend of the police officer already on the Board who became a staff member for Guy Kratzar a former City Councilam, state representative and State Senator.
"I meant to say that the GOP refused to fill many of those seats during the Obama administration."
Of course they did. That's what happens with the party that controls the Senate. I can attest it is quite frustrating when your party is out of power. Barack Obama famously reminded that elections have consequences. ACA was made law without a single Republican vote. Not one. I recall many cautioning that Harry Reid's nuclear option would come back to bite Democrats if Republicans ever captured the Senate majority. It certainly has. Elections have consequences.
To 1:15 and 1:58,
It was indeed GOP court packing. By blocking any appointments by Obama. It is 1:15 who displays ignorance.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/13/want-know-all-about-court-packing-ask-mitch-mcconnell/?utm_campaign=wp_opinions_pm&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_popns
Dems are just grandstanding at this point, taking a few shots and hoping something sticks.
All the back patting and confident posts above from the Trump/Republican cheerleading squad all have some merit, especially with the shoe being on the other foot. Sadly, the country will be switching footwear next month so they'll have an appreciation for whats to come.
In my opinion Harry Reid started a lot of this, but what McConnell did with Obama court nominees, while all "legal" in a procedural manner, basically stripped away any dignity the Senate had. He didn't cheat, but certainly exploited loopholes to get his way.
The problem with both parties and the whole "Elections have consequences" mantra is they act like they'll be in power forever and then act shocked when the tide turns and the other side feels the need to over correct what the other did prior.
So just start accepting the fact that we'll be seeing a 13 member Supreme Court and updating the American Flag to include 52 stars. Just remember to cast some of the blame at Mitch McConnell and Lindsay Graham for it.
When the election is over and the Dems control both the White House and the Senate again, they should add seats to SCOTUS. They will "merely" be amending a statute and then filling vacancies.
See how easy is this "merely" business?
Or Trump enunciating fortune as for-toony. But illiteracy is another issue.
10.46
" We do NOT want any Justice to take their seat with a pre-determined decision. Without ever hearing any specific argument!"
so is this a pre-determined decision--?
" Amy Coney Barrett signed on to a second "right to life” advertisement against the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision, according to supplemental material filed late Friday with the Senate Judiciary Committee."
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/supreme-court-pick-barrett-signed-anti-abortion-ad-73533620
seems her mind is made up without hearing any argument.
150 years and 11:07 thinks let's change it to get what we want. Thank you to the rest for rationale thinking!
Are you watching any of the hearing?
I blame those who vote for it.
This is basically a Republican Kamikaze mission, let them have it. They've lost a generation of young voters on top of the continued erosion of their demographic base of older white voters. Rural non college voter base isn't growing either.
Whether Dems expand the Supreme Court or not, in 20 years it won't make a lick of difference as Thomas and Alito will be replaced and Breyer will retire within the next 4 years to ensure a young progressive takes his place, maybe even Sotomayor retires too.
Republicans have had one popular election victory since 1988. Its a Zombie Party with rotting values and bankrupt of ideas that benefit our society outside of make life easier on the wealthy. They are no longer relevant or wanted by this country on a national level.
I see things a bit different. The baby boomer generation had a ton of kids who now have gone through college and finally have their student loans paid off. What does this mean? They are —- they are the driving force in the housing market. Look at what is happening in the housing market. We have 7-9% appreciation. Minimal inventory . Houses are on the market for one day and they are sold. I know, I just bought a home sight unseen, just looking at the pictures, and I bought it within hours of the home being listed. They now have the freedom to buy a home that they couldn’t because of past student loans and they are buying homes in a big way. And they are looking at their tax return and they see that they have $5,000, 8,000, $10,000 extra in their account because their taxes are not killing them either. Funny thing is, they know why they have more disposable income to spend. And for that they say THANK YOU President Donald Trump!
I’d like to state the importance of this election differently, 8:23.
IF the coming ballot tampering is successful in defeating Trump, American citizens will quickly be dealing with One Party Government. That’s not good. The career politicians will run wild and the “swamp” will deepen.
Election cheating, which has always happened to some degree, will be much greater this election. If successful, the offenders will be emboldened and following elections will be taken out of the control of citizens. Our elections will more closely resemble North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela.
Yes, at that point, the Republican Party will have been defeated for good. We will live our lives in service to an untouchable Political Class. How nice.
As an open minded voter that is willing to cross party lines, I agree 100%. I think having crude and obnoxious career politicians people like Sen. Dick Durbin talking down in an insulting way to this very experienced, intelligent, thoughtful and articulate woman/mother is a bad dynamic for the Democrats. The Dems blew the election and are now paying the price, she is very qualified and should be put on the Supreme Court.
The only real peaceful solution to the division in this country is a divorce, let's split things up , We can have the U.S. west, and U.s. east and they can have everything they want without opposition. as it stands now someone is going to be forced to accept the abhorrent view of another. There will bee no peace, there will be no reconciliation. We are no longer a united country on the basic principles of the country. There can either be a bloody winner take all, or a peaceful orderly divorce.
@9:40 " IF the coming ballot tampering is successful in defeating Trump, American citizens will quickly be dealing with One Party Government. That’s not good."
What did we have 2016-2018? Or is it only not good when its Dems?
There will be no material ballot tampering in numbers that will have any effect on this election - its a simple lie and a distraction. Its a built in excuse Trump is using for losing, that is all it is.
Its the same system everyone has used for the last decade. Any rational thinker can easily see that the cost, time, effort and the number of people needed to pull it off, let alone the logistics of such a scheme and then the subsequent secrecy and cover up after the fact make it impossible for any measure of success. It's been investigated and debunked a thousand times over by each party (because Dems think Republicans do it too), but because Trump whines and moans about it, as an AMERICAN PRESIDENT his true believers just nod along as if it were gospel truth.
@9:30 - Generation Y aka Millenials, are the children of the Boomers. Throw in some of the early Gen Z "Zoomers" too. My guess is that they may indeed be thanking Trump for a couple grand in the bank account, but that gratitude doesn't buy their vote.
Do some research beyond your personal sphere. They prioritize racial/ethnic diversity and the environment, not exactly high scoring areas for Trump/Reps. Both generations also think Government should do more in solving societies problems, again not a Republican strong suit.
Trumps approval #'s with both age groups are 30%, which is 12 points lower than his abysmal national average according to Pew Research.
Ballot tampering is won't be an issue because Trump is going to be annihilated in the Electoral College vote.
2016 Trump had 306 votes. Needs 270 to win.
Definite flips from Trump to Biden...
PA = 20 votes
MI = 16 votes
WI = 10 votes
Leaves him with 260.
Likely flips...
Arizona = 11 votes
Leaves him with 249
Probable flips...
Florida = 29 votes
North Carolina = 15 votes
Leaves him with 205
Maybe flips...
Texas = 38 votes
Georgia = 16 votes
Iowa = 6 votes
Leaves him with 145...
Of the states Clinton won that Trump could potentially flip would be Minnesota (10 votes) and New Hampshire (4 votes).
He's toast, he knows it, the RNC knows it, the only people who don't are the Fanboys with their flags.
OMG - Gen Z and Gen Y absolutely HATE Trump and Republicans. LOL - Thank Trump... They overwhelmingly want gun control, believe global warming and systemic racism is a huge problem and blame Boomers for it, not to mention support for BLM and police reform. Complete and total delirium that there is any support from those age groups for the President.
Young people don't approve of old people. No surprise there, as old people engaged in the largest dine and dash in history. Young people want their time at the trough and don't want to hear about the cost. Can you blame them? $27 trillion with a misery index has been quite a bender. Glad I won't be around to have to pay it off.
Dick Durbin is 75 and has good days and bad days, like any septuagenarian. I wish the US Senate didn't look like activity hour at Country Meadows. Half of those lords are sitting there in soiled Depends.
Any case before a Court of Law concerning this Presidential Election WILL include many mentions of Joe Biden’s role during his time as Barack Obama’s VP. Information just starting to pour out now gives me solid reason to believe massive election tampering is a real possibility.
At some point, the validity of the coming election could be discussed before the Supreme Court. We need all 9 seats there to be filled.
Folks, many people who you paid to work in government with your tax dollars are hoping to hide various transactions, behaviors, and even crimes that could imprison them and their families. Their fear goes away if Joe Biden wins this election.
When you comment there will not be election tampering beyond what we normally see, you are clearly not up-to-speed on what’s already been found, or you are trying to block what you really do know to be true.
Accurate evidence of wrong doing IS available on the internet, but it is being made very difficult to find.
I understand Obama did not have the votes in the Senate for his nomination to win the Supreme seat. If that is true, don't blame the Republicans. Trump has the votes in the Senate all moved to fill the Seat.3
No matter how we slice it, this nominee’s confirmation is NOT a slam dunk. Two Republican Senators (Maine and Alaska) have already stated they will vote against her. Only a 2 vote advantage exists. There are at least ten (10) RINO Republicans, including Romney, who could still vote no, regardless of this candidate’s superior qualifications.
Then, we have any “surprise” witness hit-jobs to come during today’s hearings. Remember, the goal is not to get the most qualified person in the job, but to delay the hiring until past the election. An election Biden could win, as difficult to believe as it is, with his condition and situation.
@6:12AM "Accurate evidence of wrong doing IS available on the internet, but it is being made very difficult to find."
Please peddle your conspiracy theories elsewhere. You can literally find ANYTHING on the internet. Moon landing was fake, 9/11 was an inside job, JFK wasn't really assassinated. When we're small minded and simply can't believe what we're seeing with our own two eyes, we start reaching and pulling together theories that make our preferred narrative seem plausible. Yes EVERYONE just loves Trump and think he's doing the bestest job ever being President and the whole world now loves and respects us and its all a secret government cover up and Joe Biden is their man to make all the misdeeds disappear.
It simple - a minority of this country like Trump and think he is great. He has boned and botched multiple policies and stepped on his own landmines created from surrounding himself with unqualified ass kissers for nearly 4 years. His impending landslide defeat should not come as a surprise to anyone who has not lived deep up Hannity's colon since he took office. FOX News and Right Wing media have created the happy/sunny ecosystem that is simply not based on reality.
Hey Demorats, it's very simple! Win Presidential Elections, and you can do the same thing POTUS is doing! enough said, so SHUT UP!
@7:45 "I understand Obama did not have the votes in the Senate for his nomination to win the Supreme seat. If that is true, don't blame the Republicans. Trump has the votes in the Senate all moved to fill the Seat.3"
The issue is that they didn't even vote for Obama's nomination. Didn't even hold a hearing to review his qualifications. Just said, "Nope, its February in an election year and we need to wait until November to see what the people decide". They didn't outright say, "Because our team controls the Senate and you aren't on our team." Any way you slice it, its pure hypocrisy, and the oncoming slaughter of candidates with an (R) next to their name will be the price paid for it.
@9:46 PM - Hope you take your own advice starting next month. Somehow I doubt it.
1. Washington Examiner article by Paul Bedard (Oct 16) lists 15 significant cases of ballot tampering just in the past 30 days.
2. Judicial Watch (Oct 16) reports 29 states, containing 353 counties, shows 1.8 million more registered voters than the total amount of all eligible voters in those areas.
YES, 1:38 - the internet can be used to find far more reliable information than can ever be found on radio, television, print with the low standards we see from CNN, NBC, New York Times, etc. etc.
The upcoming election will very likely be STOLEN. We are not prepared to handle what’s coming, possibly marking the end of America as most have known it.
Should have added to my prior post - it is NOT necessary for the entire nation to be successfully fixed by cheating. Just criminal behavior in 2-3 big swing states. The key to successful election cheating will be the move to expanded mail-in voting before we have the ability to control it. No one is complaining about typical Absentee Balloting that’s been available for many years. This is not that.
Refute all you like.
Elections have consequences. President Obama said that many times...
3 Supreme Court justices, >200 Federal court appointments!
I have a feeling that Democrats, at all levels, are going to be shown the door.
President Trump broke the party, and the media.
Why?
You picked the wrong actors, Corupt Joe Biden, and Hillary with a melanin upgrade. They aligned themselves
with Antifa (mostly Bernie Bros) and marxist BLM. You did everything wrong, but you ALWAYS DO...
The problem with Democrats is all that matters is power, you can't stand it when you can't boss people around.
And you've really blown it buy getting in bed with violent actors that just burn, loot and murder. Up to 30 souls dead
in the northwest and mid america! Republicans didn't do that--Biden voters did.
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