GOP Threatens Mass Blockade Of Obama's Top Judges

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

SAHIL KAPUR – OCTOBER 31, 2013, 6:00 AM EDT

Republicans are threatening a mass blockade of President Barack Obama's three most important judicial nominees ahead of an expected Thursday vote on the first of them.

Backed by House colleagues and GOP attorneys general from around the country, Senate Republican leaders are whipping opposition to advancing the nomination of Patricia Millett -- or anyone else -- for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is one notch below the Supreme Court and often has the final word on matters of executive authority.

"This week, Sen. Reid has teed up President Obama's court-packing plan for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, a court that some people call the second most important court in the nation," Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) told reporters. "The last thing we need to do when money is tight ... is throw more money at unneeded judges on this court, in an attempt to simply pack the court in order to tilt that court ideologically in a way that favors the big government agenda of the Obama administration."

"We intend to stop it," he said.

:::snip:::

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/gop-threatens-mass-blockade-of-top-obama-judges

[tridim]

1. Welcome to double-secret obscurity GOP. You fucking idiots.

It's pretty obvious the modern teapublican party is completely incapable of learning from their past mistakes.

[demwing]

27. Asshatery has consequences

Im glad they don't learn. Let them feel the fill frontal force of their failure

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Can Obama push them through during the recess?

You know, when it's time for the House rep's to take their nap?

[DetlefK]

6. They would set up pro-forma sessions again, unless...

There is some law that the president can FORCE congress to convene.
"Pro-forma session? Nope. Skip that vacation and get back to work. Say hello to my liberal friends who have a lot of stuff they want to talk about."

[Tx4obama]

24. That would not work. Recess appointments are temporary.

Folks that are recess appointed still need to be eventually confirmed by the full Senate because the appointment would expire at the end of the congressional session.

Federal judges serve 'life terms' - so in order for them to keep their seat there has to be a Senate confirmation.

[notadmblnd]

26. Aren't they already taking a nap?

I thought I heard one of the talking heads say they won't be back til the middle of Nov?

[reflection]

3. Yes, I think the American people want more obstruction.

God the Republicans are rock-hard stupid. If they weren't screwing us all in the process it would be fun to watch.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. I think what should become apparent in time, is that these people operate

in the same way that you would expect to find with a CIA operation that is intent on destabilizing a country. Their goal is the same. Exploit the chaos for personal profit.

[reflection]

9. Very good grok.

I hadn't really thought of it that way. I wonder how many actually drink their own kool-aid and how many are just fomenting discord for money?

[Baitball Blogger]

11. It's a combination.

I've studied a close municipal matter in a right-wing community and I see similarities to what is happening up in Washington. You have some very over-zealot people in the community who truly believe in the crap. They show up at city meetings and create a lot of chaos. They were anti-government and had a pro-property rights stance, which meant that they fought against all kinds of city regulations. For example, when the city was trying to raise zoning standards for a Town Center they opposed setbacks and just about anything that would intrude on a developer's rights or increase taxes. To some extent they succeeded. The Town Center was dressed down and these gadflies laughed at the results because it did turn out to be an ordinary looking Center.

It was really hard not to notice they had help, since the Mayor (a Democrat) was also trying to reduce zoning restrictions. It turned out that he had a conflict of interest because he had acquired a real estate license and represented property that was expected to become part of the special district.

In the meantime, while these useful idiots were creating chaos in City Hall, the city resorted to building bridges OUTSIDE of city meetings. They did this for several reasons, none of them legal IMO. In essence, private meetings took place and improper inducements were used to garner support.

What makes this all suspect was that the useful idiots were being financed by property rights lawyers and ex-judges who had interests in land development. It always comes full circle.

So, in answer to your question, if what is happening in Washington D.C. is similar to what goes on in my city, the Tea-Partiers are tolerated by Republicans because they make good cannon-fodder. They create enough of a distraction that they create leverage to help them cut deals.

The problem for the Republicans is that the Tea Partiers are becoming too unpopular and Obama isn't showing any signs of negotiating with them any more. If we're lucky, the Tea Partiers will take them down with them.

[DetlefK]

4. Yeah, three more jobs for Big Government! And they will cost at least 24 billion dollars!

[global1]

7. I Thought Reid And McConnell Had An Agreement And This Wouldn't Happen Again?......

After the last time Reid threatened to go nuclear didn't they agree - no filibusters on judicial appointments? Is McConnell going back on this again?

[groundloop]

15. Yep, and they even had a Pinkie Promise

I bet McConnell had his hand behind his back with his fingers crossed when he pinkie promised though, so it doesn't really count.

[abelenkpe]

8. So they're threatening more of the same?

All they've done since he was elected was obstruct.

[Botany]

10. Time to go nuclear on their asses

I'm sick of this shit

[Xyzse]

12. They've been doing this regardless

What's the difference?

[freshwest]

20. Yep, from Day One. S.S.D.D.

[Xyzse]

22. So, basically this is ineffective then.

[freshwest]

23. It's worked for the GOP so far. Very effective.

[Xyzse]

25. I guess so.

For threatening us with something that they have been doing any way, and will be doing so for the foreseeable future, they get too much mileage out of their crapulence.

[beachbum bob]

13. until Reid and his democratic mates quit pussy-footing around

this will continue to be the norm for next 3 years. Time to do the nuclear option on filibuster and quit threatening to do...just do it. G

[QuestForSense]

17. And do it today.

[Iliyah]

14. Republicans are worthless

both in the house and senate. To date, no mention nor discussion of passing a jobs bill. All they want to do is obstruct, cut, cut, and give $$$ to their rich cronies.

[gopiscrap]

16. how about doing your job,

republican assclowns!

[ellenfl]

18. i'm getting so sick of this crap. IF they ever get the lead again, dems need to

give them a taste of their own medicine. especially since the rw propaganda machine will be running its collective mouth.

[6000eliot]

19. Because, you know, this strategy has worked so well for them and all.

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

21. FUCK the GOP

and defeat everyone of the miscreants!