Alabama Democrat Doug Jones says he could vote either way on Trump's SCOTUS pick

[fallout87]

So much for sticking together.

"I'm open to voting yes. I'm open to voting no. We don't know who the nominee is going to be yet," Jones told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union. "I don't think my role is to rubber stamp for the President, but it's also not an automatic knee-jerk no, either."
The President said last week that of the winnowed group of four potential nominees he is now considering, "I have it down to three or two," and he will announce his decision Monday evening.
Jones said that regardless of who the nominee is, "we're going to give them a very, very good, hard and fair look to determine what I believe to be the best interest of my constituents, but also the country."

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/08/politics/doug-jones-supreme-court-nominee-cnntv/index.html

[stevenleser]

1. That's the right thing to say right now until there is a nominee. You don't know who the nominee is.

If the nominee is Barack Obama, for instance, do you want to be boxed in by saying you would oppose the nominee whoever it is.

There will be plenty of time, once the RWNJ nominee is named, to voice opposition.

[fallout87]

2. There's a list of 4

Everyone knows the names already.

He could have voiced his opinion and said he had grave concerns over the 4 potential nominees. Sure, he shouldn't automatically say he's vote no... but a little more backbone would be nice.

[stevenleser]

4. And there is nothing forcing Trump to pick one of the four. I agree with your other premise...

... he could have said he has concerns over the other four.

[fallout87]

5. That's true

It may not even be anyone on that list. I'm just really bummed out about the whole SCOTUS situation. 2016 was likely the most consequential election of our lives....

[qazplm135]

6. his chances of re-election are already razor thin

this will turn on the supposed pro-choice republicans...but the reality is we had multiple chances as a group of folks to have either a President who would nominate good justices/judges, or a Senate that would force at least moderate ones.

We sat on our fucking asses because we weren't in love enough collectively with Hillary or whomever was running in several seats...even progressive Senator candidates like Feingold lost.

I'm tired of hearing about how sucky the Dem politicians are. The reality is if we showed up to vote in greater, more regular numbers, we'd force better candidates and/or could tolerate a few like Jones who is by definition going to have to run like a liberal Republican to have a chance at being re-elected.

[GaryCnf]

3. Correct

He will do the right thing.