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Wash. Post Debunks Mitch McConnell’s “Absurd” Claim That Merrick Garland Is Ideologically Extreme
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/06/06/wash-post-debunks-mitch-mcconnell-s-absurd-claim-merrick-garland-ideologically-extreme/210740The Washington Posts editorial board criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells (R-KY) patently ridiculous claim that Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland is ideologically extreme.
Since Garlands nomination in March, groups like the Judicial Crisis Network, the National Federation of Independent Business and the National Rifle Association have made numerous false and misleading claims about Garlands record to portray him as ideologically extreme. In fact, conservatives have praised Garland for years and multiple prominent conservative lawyers have announced their support for Garlands nomination.
In a June 5 editorial, the editorial board slammed McConnells patently ridiculous claim after he said on MSNBCs Morning Joe that from a conservative point of view, I dont think you could have a worse nominee than Merrick Garland. The board wrote that it is absurd to call Garland a worst-case scenario for Republicans, noting, Fellow judges from across the ideological spectrum [have] effusively praise[d] Mr. Garland and that Garlands record as a judge has been careful and evenhanded. From the June 5 piece:
[blockquote style="border: 1px solid #000000;padding:10px;"]Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) continues to insist that the GOP blockade of Judge Merrick Garland, President Obamas nominee to replace Scalia, is about a principle, not a person. The crucial principle that apparently justifies hobbling the Supreme Court is the newly invented notion that the president should be able to fill court vacancies during only three-quarters of his elected term.
Mr. McConnells discovery of this principle has been as obvious a case of situational ethics as has ever been seen in Washington. Indeed, from the beginning, it was clear Republicans had more than proper procedure on their minds. The next justice could fundamentally alter the direction of the Supreme Court and have a profound impact on our country, Mr. McConnell warned in March.
Now Mr. McConnell has gone a step further, making his opposition not simply cynical but patently ridiculous. In interviews last week, Mr. McConnell argued that Mr. Garland is ideologically extreme. I dont think you could have a worse from a conservative point of view, I dont think you could have a worse nominee than Merrick Garland, he said on MSNBCs Morning Joe. I would say, hes a well-qualified, very liberal judge, he told NPR.
It is absurd to claim that Mr. Garland, a nominee about whom many liberal groups are not excited, a judge whom Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) once called a consensus nominee, is the worst-case scenario for Republicans. Fellow judges from across the ideological spectrum effusively praise Mr. Garland. His work on the countrys second-most prominent court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, has been careful and evenhanded. Mr. McConnells claims do not pass the laugh test unless by worst, he means most-qualified and therefore most difficult plausibly to reject.
Mr. McConnells admission that Mr. Garland is well-qualified should end the discussion. The president gets to nominate; the Senate gets to object in extraordinary circumstances, but has an obligation to confirm if nominees are, as in this case, obviously qualified and within the mainstream of judicial thinking. No other arrangement can keep the system working. But the majority leader obviously has other considerations in mind.
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Wash. Post Debunks Mitch McConnell’s “Absurd” Claim That Merrick Garland Is Ideologically Extreme (Original Post)
Bill USA
Jun 2016
OP
All WaPo needed to do was come to DU to read how Garland is a staunch conservative.
LonePirate
Jun 2016
#1
LonePirate
(13,431 posts)1. All WaPo needed to do was come to DU to read how Garland is a staunch conservative.
maxsolomon
(33,400 posts)2. McConnell's just tap dancing - the Wa Post is wasting their time.
The Turtle is running out the clock on the Obama presidency. He'll change his tune the second the election is called for the 1st Woman President in American History.
Expect a Lame-duck Approval process that is all backrubs and handjobs.