Harry Reid To Republicans: You Better Not Block Us From Replacing Scalia

[deminks]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/harry-reid-dont-block-scalia-successor?utm_content=buffer3a04a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer



Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) released a statement Saturday night following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia that contained a warning shot to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY): Don't play politics with filling vacancies on the Supreme Court bench.

"It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat," the statement read. "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities."

(end snip)

[Octafish]

1. Absolutely!

All the way until confirmation -- or the elections in November -- which ever comes first.

[malaise]

2. Well said Harry Reid

Make them read the Constitution

[Photographer]

3. Unfortunately, these mother f'ers could give a shit.

They have been paid well to do their assigned duties.

[Red Knight]

4. The Republicans are kinda screwed

Obama will certainly nominate someone and force them to block it.

So either they confirm and tilt the court to the left or they block it and Democratic turnout will be through the roof for the general election. They lose the court and the election and possibly the senate.

[tech3149]

23. I think you read it right

I expect that Democratic turnout will be high without considering Scalia. Putting that cherry on top of the electoral motivation could be the make or break for both parties.

[IDemo]

5. Party of No: "No"

Obama could nominate Jesus Christ and the repubs would block him because Obama.

[saltpoint]

6. Harry's got this one right.

I'm sure the GOP-controlled Senate don't see it that way.

But Harry's got it right just the same.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

7. IMO, if the Rs take the WH,

they well may get to replace both Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The stakes for the Democratic nomination just have increased a gazillion-fold. If we gamble with an unelectable GE candidate, that's it, game over for another 20 years of Tea Party Mad Hatters.

[Vincardog]

8. Right Hill should stand down and let the electable candidate roll on

[ProgressiveEconomist]

12. YGTBKM

[GoneFishin]

14. The one that won't ignite a rabid, primal, explosive Republican GOTV reaction.

[Vincardog]

15. The one who energizes the right and demoralizes the left AKA UNELECTABLE

[GoneFishin]

20. Yep. Exactly.

[tech3149]

25. You really want to fear monger here?

If you're so afraid to stand up and work for the best then shut up and sit down.
I'm old and tired and don't have much to lose but I'll put every blessed thing I have to elect the best candidate.

[Ms. Yertle]

9. Precedent

Just saw this on another site:

In 1968, after announcing he would not seek another term as President, Lyndon Johnson attempted to replace the retiring Chief Justice Earl Warren with Associate Justice Abe Fortas. Johnson also nominated Homer Thornberry to fill the Fortas seat. The Senate Republicans filibustered the Fortas nomination and threatened not to reconfirm Fortas in his Associate Justice seat unless Johnson backed down on the nomination of a Chief Justice. The Republicans with help from some Southern Democrats prevailed and lame duck Johnson allowed the next President to nominate the next CJ. That set a precedent for Lame Ducks not choosing Supreme Justices. Homer Thornberry was withdrawn and the Court ran with 8 justices until Nixon chose Warren Burger.

So--it has happened before. The Rs can (and will) refuse to confirm any Obama nominee, and as minority leader, Harry Reid really can't do much about it.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

13. Excellent, must-read post

Thank you. For the first time in years, I've found a dozen or so highly relevant and informative posts on the same day. I have not seen "Feel the Bern" at all.

[davidthegnome]

36. Feel the Bern.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

[bornskeptic]

17. Earlier Precedent

Benjamin Cardozo was nominated by Herbert Hoover and confirmed in 1932.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_N._Cardozo

[ShadowLiberal]

22. That vacancy occurred much closer to the end of the president's term

From wikipedia on Earl Warren.

In June 1968, Warren, fearing that Nixon would be elected president that year, worked out a retirement deal with President Johnson. Associate Justice Abe Fortas, who was secretly Johnson's top adviser, brokered the deal in which Fortas would become chief justice. The plan was foiled by the Senate, which ripped into Fortas's record and refused to confirm him. Warren remained on the Court, and Nixon was elected. In 1969 Warren learned that Fortas had made a secret lifetime contract for $20,000 a year to provide private legal advice to Louis Wolfson, a friend and financier in deep legal trouble; Warren immediately asked Fortas to resign.[49]

Warren presided over the Court's October 1968 term and retired in spring 1969; Nixon named Warren E. Burger to succeed him. Burger, despite his distinguished profile and conservative reputation, was not effective in stopping Brennan's liberalism, so the "Warren Court" remained effective until about 1986, when William Rehnquist became Chief Justice and took control of the agenda.[50]

Warren tried to retire in June, and continued to serve on the Supreme Court until the spring of 1969, after Johnson was out of office.

Scalia died in mid February, and has no option to delay his 'retirement'.

[longship]

10. The GOP is already saying that.

Both majority leader McConnell and committeeman Lindsay have opined that the next president should fill the vacancy.

That is why Reid has been so quick on the draw here.

Fuck, Scalia's body isn't even cold and the GOP is already trying to twist this into a clusterfuck.

Fuck them!

[jimlup]

11. They will block it

they are babies and imbeciles...

[Vincardog]

16. Democrats should begin running against the "Do Nothing Senate" now.

[jimlup]

26. Yep!

you called it!

[yeoman6987]

29. It is ridiculous how crazy thing have gotten

Both Scalia and Ginsberg were voted for unanimously. Today most barely make it.

[GoneFishin]

19. Yep. Exactly.

[LiberalAndProud]

18. shameful abdication-- A more fitting description of our current Senate isn't possible.

It's what they do. It's who they are.

[trof]

21. Oh hell, REALLY Harry?

Nice try, but you absolutely KNOW that the repugs will do anything they can to block ANYONE Obama nominates.

[wildeyed]

24. It's on now.

"Don't play politics with constitutional responsibilities" vs. "The people should have a voice" .

Line up the surrogates and let the spin begin!

[randys1]

27. I predict the scum rightwing will refuse to confirm anyone

and this will bring out the democrats in November

CELEBRATE EITHER WAY

[HooptieWagon]

28. I hope the ex-boxer Harry Reid has one more fight victory.

[MurrayDelph]

30. I wonder if ole Harry

ever regrets slapping down Jeff Merkley's attempt to reform the filibuster.


I know I do.

[ladyVet]

31. Yeah. He talks big, right up until he rolls over. nt

[Omaha Steve]

32. All ties in the SCOTUS leave the lower court ruling intact

That could cause them some problems too.

OS

[erlewyne]

33. I wonder who Bernie will pick?

[Snotcicles]

34. Lowes, Tractor Supply, Home Depot, all better stock up on pitchforks, in case they do. nt

[99th_Monkey]

35. Reid Rocks on this one.!!! nt

[MohRokTah]

37. Reid has the power to completely shut down their election year agenda.

This is all puffery because they know 24 Republican seats stand for election this year and they need to push their agenda in the Senate.

[Fearless]

38. Threaten to let Bernie choose!

[Live and Learn]

39. I think we could wait at least 24 hours before we talk about replacing him.

Last edited Sat Feb 13, 2016, 11:48 PM - Edit history (1)

It just seems kind of disrespectful. Not that he deserves a lot of respect.

[Billsmile]

40. The Clinton Era Democrats...

will cave as usual to the Republicans.

[treestar]

41. Go Harry!

[Odin2005]

42. Is this one of his meaningless Strongly Worded Letters?

[Hekate]

43. You tell 'em, Harry.

[AgadorSparticus]

44. Absolutely!!!! For the GOP to think that it is okay to go a whole year

Without replacing a supreme justice is unprecedented and unethical. There seems to be an attitude of entitlement here where think they are entitled to pick the replacement justice. Bunch of delusional hypocrites. They are high.

To add: Way to tell them, Harry!! I can't imagine that they will get away with this.