I just heard the Republican line on confirmation of a new Supreme Court Justice

[CajunBlazer]

"It is tradition not to confirm a Supreme Court Justice during a Presidential Election. The choice should be deferred to will of the people"

They obviously will do their level best to delay confirmation of nominees until after the general election.

[leftofcool]

1. Yep, in the hopes of a Ted Cruz win.

[d_b]

2. Justice Kennedy in '88

[DFW]

6. But he was nominated by a REPUBLICAN president

That's different.

[oberliner]

9. He was nominated in 1987

So I guess that's the technicality they are going with?

[d_b]

10. and confirmed in an election year

so good luck with that

[oberliner]

11. But it was a Conservative replacing a Conservative

The would be a Liberal (hopefully) replacing an ultra Conservative.

[d_b]

12. that's fine

then let them say they're playing a partisan game. don't dress it up as some bs about "during an election year".


it's the President's job to nominate someone. They pubes can do what they want.

[DawgHouse]

3. Has this happened before in an election year?

Not that it matters because the GOP will say and do anything to (hopefully) let their elected official make the nomination.

[Qutzupalotl]

4. The people spoke in 2012.

[UTUSN]

5. Just who made up that "tradition"?!1 n/t

[longship]

7. Better phrased "Who just made up that 'tradition'?"

Minor correction.

[B Calm]

8. The MAJORITY of Americans voted for OBAMA and he is the voice of Americans. Obama needs to select

a new supreme court justice immediately!

[GeoWilliam750]

13. There have been a bunch of them

Thus, rubbish.

Whilst Supreme Court justices typically have the courtesy not to retire in an election year, quite a number of them have. A few justices have been so rude as to die during an election year.

[CajunBlazer]

14. Folks, there have been some excellent replies on this thread, ...

....but do you think that Mich McConnell and his fellow Senate Republicans give a damn about any of the reasons given why they should not hold up President Obama's Supreme Court nominees?

[onenote]

15. Eisenhower used a recess appointment to appoint Brennan during a presidential election.

[winter is coming]

16. The will of the people was expressed when the current President and Senate were elected. n/t

[CajunBlazer]

17. Excellent replies one and all, but...

... do you think that the Senate Republicans give a damn about any logical reason why they should confirm President Obama's Supreme Court nominee?

[NYC Liberal]

18. But by that logic, there also should be no confirmations during Senate election years either.

After all, both the President and the Senate are involved.

So we're left with every other year being okay to nominate a SCOTUS justice. 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019...

But I don't recall the constitution saying anything about that.