Average length of time to approve a Supreme Court Justice: 74 days (the last 10 justices)

[DCBob]

Elena Kagan: 87 days (May 10, 2010, to Aug. 5, 2010)
Sonia Sotomayor: 66 days (June 1, 2009, to Aug. 6, 2009)
Samuel A. Alito Jr.: 82 days (Nov. 10, 2005, to Jan. 31, 2006)
John G. Roberts Jr.: 62 days (July 29, 2005, to Sept. 29, 2005)
Stephen Breyer: 73 days (May 17, 1994, to July 29, 1994)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: 50 days (June 14, 1993, to August 3, 1993)
Clarence Thomas: 99 days (July 8, 1991, to Oct. 15, 1991)
David H. Souter: 69 days (July 25, 1990, to Oct. 2, 1990)
Anthony M. Kennedy: 65 days (Nov. 30, 1987, to Feb 3, 1988)
Antonin Scalia: 85 days (June 24, 1986, to Sept. 17, 1986)

The longest being 99 days... a little over 3 months. There is absolutely no legitimate reason to push this off to the next President. The "not enough time" argument is complete bullshit.

[PoliticAverse]

1. So suppose they do put it off, what happens? n/t

[DCBob]

2. I imagine Hillary will nominate someone the first day she is in office.

Then the fun really begins.

[casperthegm]

3. I imagine Bernie will do the same n/t

[PoliticAverse]

4. Well what would happen if the issue goes to the next president depends largely on if the Senate...

has a Democratic majority or not.

[DCBob]

5. So are you saying the GOP will delay until the Nov elections then decide?

[PoliticAverse]

6. That's an interesting question. Suppose Obama nominates a relatively moderate justice...

and the Democrats win the presidency and control of the next senate, it would seem in the
Republicans interest to pass the nominee the President has proposed rather than get stuck
with one the next President can push through.

[DCBob]

7. Yeah, that could be part of their strategy..

if they actually have a strategy other than "oppose Obama".