Chuck Todd: Republicans Won't Boycott Sotomayor Hearings
This morning on MSNBC, Chuck Todd poured some cold water on the suggestion that Republicans might boycott Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings. Or at least he tried.
Todd may be right, but it's worth keeping in mind that Republicans have already boycotted the confirmation hearing of one Obama judicial nominee, and much, much more.
David Hamilton was nominated to serve on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in March. Despite a record of moderation, Republicans boycotted his first confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, forcing a second hearing weeks later. After that they delayed a vote to report him out of committee and finally they voted in unison against moving his nomination to the full Senate. And, for good measure, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) is threatening to filibuster him.
Obviously there are important differences between the Appeals Courts and the Supreme Court, but it's probably not worth discounting the lengths to which Senate Republicans will go to drag out a confirmation process if they feel in any way slighted.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Chuck Todd underestimates the obstructionist tendencies of the opposition apparently.
June 10, 2009 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno. The Repubs would have to be pretty dumb.
An appeals court judge? Below the radar.
But think if they boycotted Sotomayor's hearing. THAT would be item #1 on all the evening news shows - pictures of empty seats with Republican nameplates.
On second thought - go for it, guys. You Republicans won't get anywhere until you start flexing your muscles. Boycott Sotomayor, and show the electorate what stuff you're made of.
June 10, 2009 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh yes. Please don't throw me in the briar patch! ;)
I hope they ARE that dumb.
June 10, 2009 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Simple - hold the hearings - vote the nomination out - if they aren't there they don't get to ask questions, they don't get to participate, no second hearing - nothing - nada - zip - no consideration: here's your nominee - like and shut up.
I doubt it will happen as it would require a lot of backbone to do it - moreover it would also require a committment that, in the event of a filibuster, nothing else happens - the nomination doesn't get withdrawn - they have to stand there and keep it going and let the American people watch them grind government to a hault.
June 10, 2009 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is just the warm-up and "marker-placing" -- putting Obama on notice that they're going to kick such a shitfit over THIS, relative moderate nominee, so he'd better not even DREAM of putting forward anyone remotely "liberal."
June 10, 2009 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fuck 'em. Call their bluff. Give them enough rope to hang themselves. The Dems need to grow some goddamn backbone.
June 11, 2009 3:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope that Pat Leahy has the guts to send Republicans a very clear message:
June 11, 2009 6:58 AM | Reply | Permalink