Will Committee Republicans Try To Block Obama's SCOTUS Nominee?
Anything's possible. But before they try, they should reflect on this Dear Colleague letter, co-written on June 29, 2001 by the then-chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) respectively.
U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY, Washington, DC, June 29, 2001.DEAR COLLEAGUE: We are cognizant of the important constitutional role of the Senate in connection with Supreme Court nominations. We write as Chairman and Ranking Republican Member on the Judiciary Committee to inform you that we are prepared to examine carefully and assess such presidential nominations.
The Judiciary Committee's traditional practice has been to report Supreme Court nominees to the Senate once the Committee has completed its considerations. This has been true even in cases where Supreme Court nominees were opposed by a majority of the Judiciary Committee.
We both recognize and have every intention of following the practices and precedents of the Committee and the Senate when considering Supreme Court nominees.
Sincerly,
Patrick J. Leahy,
Chairman.Orrin G. Hatch,
Ranking Republican Member.
There is, of course, some precedent for tying up Supreme Court nominees one way or another in the Judiciary Committee. But by and large even controversial nominees get reported out, even if unfavorably.
Late update: You can read the original letter in its entirety here.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
I vote Margaret Marshall.
I think she'd be a very good Justice, and even if not confirmed, would be good for lots of asplody heads on the far right.
May 1, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha, Ha... How is going to look a bunch of ol' white guys blocking and aggressively questioning a latina woman? Because there is no question that Sonia Sotomayor will be the nominee... The planets keep aligning on Obama's side. It will be fun to watch.
May 1, 2009 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
You ask, "Will Committee Republicans Try To Block Obama's Scotus Nominee?"
Oh come on, now; these clowns on voting "No!" on everything that the Obama administration is proposing. Obama could find a way to cure the common cold and sign a mid-East peace treaty, and these obstructionist bozos would still vote "No." It's all they have right now.
So the real question is, "How will committee Republicans try to block Obama's SCOTUS nominee?"
May 1, 2009 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. I saw this post's headline and my first thought was, "Does a bear shit in the woods?"
May 1, 2009 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. These folk would block a bathroom door, if Obama wanted to use it.
May 1, 2009 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bill Maher nailed it on last night's Real Time show (I'm paraphrasing as closely as possible to a quote from memory):
"The Republicans said 'We thoroughly object to President Obama's pick for the Supreme Court on almost every basis! As soon as he tell us who that is we can tell you why'."
May 2, 2009 8:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Democrats did not use the filibuster to block Roberts or Alito and look what ideologues they turned out to be. The Republicans threatened the Democrats with the "Nuclear Option" if the Democrats used the filibuster to bliock judicial nominees; that is, they would get a ruling from the chair, Cheney, that it only takes a majority to change the rules, and they would then repeal the cloture rule for judges. Hopefully the Democrats will let the Rebublicans know that what is good for the goose is good for the gander and filibustering a judicial nominee is itself "Nuclear Option." The "Gang of 14" came into being to avoid the Nuclear Option, saying they would not vote for cloture unless the nominee had three heads, or some such disqualifying attribute. McCain was one of the Gang of 14. I wonder what position old grouchy will take now that he is pissed off at Obama?
May 1, 2009 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is the headline a trick question?
May 1, 2009 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
No. It's a "duh!" question.
May 2, 2009 8:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is going to pick a far leftist idealogue justice so if the Republicans try to block any of his nominees that Obama is considering appointing I cannot blame them. The Republican Party is not the party of "No".In fact, Republicans have offered several alternatives to many Bills that were passed by the Democrats. Democrats are the ones that are closed minded and will not even listen to any of the Republicans good alternatives and ideas. Democrats want to change the very foundation of this country and our founding fathers intentions in the constitution. Republicans are strict constructionists where as Democrats want to twist and change the constitution to fit their own agenda. But, even if Obama's nominee is confirmed it will not change the makeup of the Supreme Court. We only have to worry if a conservative justice retires.
May 1, 2009 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
"We only have to worry if a conservative justice retires."
Who's "we" and what exactly do "we" have to worry about? Fair elections, wherein elected officials are, oh, I don't know, elected by actual voting citizens instead of being installed by wingnut activist judges? How terrifying!
"We" are going to be just fine. "You" however, might experience a few growing pains as this country shifts back to this idea we like to call Democracy. I know it's going to be hard, watching people do weird stuff like think for themselves and base decisions on actual facts and reserve judgment until they know what they're talking about, but hopefully you'll get used to it.
May 2, 2009 8:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know what medications your doctor has you on, but whatever they are, I want some.
May 2, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink