CNN's Tom Foreman just said Marco Rubio's 80 year appointment claim is mostly true

[d_legendary1]

According to the CNN "reality check":

During an opening round of questions that focused on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and his successor's potential effect on the political landscape leading up to the 2016 election, Rubio said "It's been over 80 years since a lame duck president has appointed a Supreme Court justice."

The definition of what makes a president a "lame duck" varies, but it is generally considered to be a president who is in the final period of their term and is not eligible to run for re-election.

Rubio is right that no president who fits a narrow description of a "lame duck" has appointed a justice to the Supreme Court in the past 80 years. However, President Ronald Reagan nominated Anthony Kennedy on Nov 30, 1987, and he was confirmed on Feb 3, 1988 -- the last two years of Reagan's final term. Whether that constitutes as "lame duck" is up for debate.

Their "fact check" is based on the term "Lame Duck", which according to them has no set definition. In turn this makes his definition mostly true. Check out the CNN's bullshit reality check here.

[dchill]

1. but when was the last time...

a lame jerk was elected president?

[Nonhlanhla]

3. 2004 nt

[d_legendary1]

4. The year 2004 comes to mind

I would say 2000 but our SCOTUS appointed the president.

[dchill]

7. Well, yes, if you believe Bush actually WON...

the state of Ohio.

[d_legendary1]

8. According to our gutless Dems at the time

It was legit. No investigations, no hearing, NADA! Hence, he "won".

[JudyM]

6. Lame brain.

[Xipe Totec]

2. I rate the statement true, stupid, and irrelevant.

This country has been around more than 80 years. Why stop at 80? Why not 210?

Because just like in Global warming, you can make your point if you choose the time window Juuust right.

[jfern]

5. They definitely don't want to mention 1916

Hughes was a member of the Supreme Court who got the Republcan nomination. He stepped down in July, and his successor was prompted nominated and confirmed by his general election opponent, the sitting President Wilson.

[Yupster]

9. I thought that was weird

To me a lame duck president is the period of time from the election to the inauguration.

In other words after the replacement has been chosen and is waiting to take office.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Iran-Contra had already taken away Reagan's credibility, and he was starting to show the signs

of dementia by then. Few presidents have ever been as much of a 'lame duck' as he was by then.