Justice Antonin Scalia has died

[boomerang]

The longest any SCOTUS appointment has been drawn out was 120+ days.

Confirmation, yes. The longest unfilled vacancy was slightly over two years. There is nothing unusual surrounding this vacancy at this point.

 

[Wreckem]

It's February--that seat will be filled by November. recess is what, May or June until September? They'll need a butt in the seat before the election happens.

Their traditional summer "recess" is the month of August.

However since the GOP took over the Senate, they have held pro forma sessions every three days during their "recesses" to ensure Obama couldn't do recess appointments. Even if he was able to do a recess appointment between nowand the election, said appointment would expire at the end of the current Senate Term in December unless the Justice was confirmed.

There is a two week window in December when the 114th Senate has an official recess where Obama could cram through a recess appointment that would last until the 115th Senate ended in December 2018. I don't foresee Obama making a recess appointment unless the GOP wins the Presidency and maintains their control over the House and Senate. It would also make sense to do a recess appointment if the Democrats take back the Senate because they could then use the nuclear option and confirm the recess appointment.

 

[Wreckem]

They would have to put up such a monumental block it would be a cluster fuck for the presidential election. My bet is they realize it'd be suicide to do that and do what they did the last two. Gnash their teeth, wring their hands, cry themselves to sleep at night, but put it to a vote.

Its easy to block. They have control of the Senate and the Senate Judiciary Committee Schedule. They merely have to not take up the issue. The reality is they just need to stall for 6 months. Then the natural cycle of the Senate in an election year will do the rest.

 

[SNC]

The longest any SCOTUS appointment has been drawn out was 120+ days. Obama has like 320+ days left in office. If the GOP obstructs him it will cause them to lose the election. Also Obama is smart and will appoint a slightly liberal leaning moderate to make them look like crap for blocking it. Maybe a woman or latino or black person just to make sure their obstruction kills them in the election.

They cant really stop it. They keep saying they can but its just gonna put Bernie or Hillary in there and then they will appoint the next 2 when Ginsburg and Thomas go.

Then it will be 6 - 3 on the liberal side.

Its time to join the 20th century.

So it's OK to put someone up for nomination because of their sex or color, but not OK to vote against them for the same reason? And we wonder why race relations are at a standstill.

 

[ultimatebob]

The teachers union must be very happy.

A pending ruling on mandatory union dues is coming up in June and many people were saying that the Supreme Court was going to vote against the teacher unions. That's all up in the air now.

The NRA must be pissed, though. They were trying to get the Connecticut "Assault Weapons" ban overturned, Scalia was practically guaranteed to vote to overturn it. I'm sure that whoever Obama picks to replace him will be a guaranteed vote to uphold it.

 

[Phoenix86]

Its easy to block. They have control of the Senate and the Senate Judiciary Committee Schedule. They merely have to not take up the issue. The reality is they just need to stall for 6 months. Then the natural cycle of the Senate in an election year will do the rest.

I didn't say it would be hard, I said it would be stupid.

 

[senseamp]

GOP will lose WH and Senate. Then we can repeal SCOTUS filibusters and get a true liberal justice. I think now we'll get a moderate at best. Lindsay Graham is saying Obama should nominate Orin Hatch. Not sure what he's on.

 

[BUTCH1]

And it seems you are right. Scalia is not even cold yet and they are turning this political. They have said they do not want Obama to nominate anyone.

Just when you think the Republican party can't get any more stupid they go and prove everyone wrong.

Yup, from the OP's kink, "Republicans who argued he should leave that responsibility to the next president in 2017".
Yea, so let's leave that seat vacant for over an entire year, that makes sense

 

[Ruptga]

Apparently Scalia requested cremation in his will, but millions of women will meet tomorrow to discuss if that’s really best for his body.

 

[cronos]

The TV show The West Wing imagined what would happen with this scenario almost 12 years ago (Season 5, Episode 17, The Supremes). Let's see if reality turns out to be even half as fun as what's shown on TV.

(it's an excellent episode, and I think no matter what your political affiliation is, it would be entertaining. so get to it, it's on Netflix)

 

[Carson Dyle]

Who do you think is next? Three of the remaining eight are 75+ years old and Clarence Thomas has been clinically dead for the last ten years. The next prez is gonna get to dictate the face of the court for the next 20-25 years.