Ted Cruz Says He Will "Absolutely" Filibuster Obama's Nominee To Replace Scalia.

[liberalnarb]

Source: Yahoo! Politics

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is threatening to filibuster any Supreme Court nominee made by President Obama to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

“This should be a decision for the people,” Cruz said on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos” on Sunday. “Let the election decide. If the Democrats want to replace [Scalia], they need to win the election. But I don’t think the American people want a court that will strip our religious liberties. I don’t think the American people want a court that will mandate unlimited abortions on demand, partial-birth abortion with taxpayer funding and no parental notification, and I don’t think the American people want a court that will write the Second Amendment out of the Constitution.”

On Saturday, Obama said he plans “to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time,” pressing the Senate to “fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote.”

Asked whether he would filibuster Obama’s choice, Cruz said: "Absolutely.”

“The Senate’s duty is to advise and consent,” Cruz said on NBC’s “Meet The Press” Sunday. “We’re advising that a lame-duck president in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court.”


Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/politics/scalia-death-gop-reacts-165826911.html

[yourout]

1. Cruz is at the top of my most hated Politicians List right now.

Evangelical racist hate spewing assholes get my blood pressure up.

[narnian60]

12. He has always been at the top of that list for me

and will remain there forever.

[deathrind]

31. I hate to make your day even worse...

But I have feeling we are going to be seeing this guy run again and again and again for President until he either wins or reaches the end of his timeline.

[houston16revival]

2. The people already decided, Ted

in 2012

Remember?

And thanks for keeping an open mind

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Bernie can nominate Obama.

Obama already meets Bernies one criterion, opposition to Citizens United. And he's brilliant.

[liberalnarb]

24. People keep saying this. Is that actually a possibility?

[OldHippieChick]

28. Absolutely possible.

William Howard Taft went on to become Chief Justice after he left the Presidency - and Obama is still quite young.

[Qutzupalotl]

40. Obama has the right temperament, background,

good judgement in most things, concern for the less fortunate, a grounding in constitutional scholarship, and has been an exemplary president -- largely avoiding self-created scandals. Plus he's sharp and articulate as fuck.

I don't see any real conflicts of interest, provided he is nominated shortly after leaving office, before the lucrative offers tempt him to cash in. Although he has been close to Wall Street and Pharma, I do not believe he has been "bought." So I think he would make an excellent choice.

The downside is, Republcians hate him and might feel they have to vote against him, possibly filibustering. But if they allow a vote and we gain a majority in the Senate as predicted, we win.

[adigal]

44. I want Obama to nominate Michelle Obama

Heads would explode, but she'd be excellent!!!

[PoliticAverse]

53. She wouldn't be confirmed. n/t

[trillion]

68. He'd make an awesome Supreme Court Judge

[PoliticAverse]

52. Obama doesn't want the job, as repeatedly indicated by his and his spokesperson concerning this.

Today the spokesperson said that had plans for bigger things.

[liberalnarb]

59. Obama has taken enough shit throughout his presidency

He doesn't want anymore

[cannabis_flower]

71. Bigger things?

What is bigger than being President and then Supreme Court Judge?

[onenote]

63. Never going to happen.

I can't believe people keep suggesting it as if it's remotely within the realm of reality.
First, there is the simple problem that Obama has indicated he has no interest.
Second, there is the problem that if the repubs keep the Senate, they reject the nomination and if they don't they'll still have the votes to filibuster.
Third, and most significantly, Obama becoming a SCOTUS justice immediately after leaving office would raise unprecedented conflict issues given that a number of cases working their way through the Court involve challenges to his own actions.

Also, the comparisons to Taft are misplaced: there was a period of eight years between the end of his presidency and his becoming a member of the SCOTUS. Plus, he didn't just become an associate Justice, he was Chief Justice. Big step down from being Chief Executive to being assigned opinions by John Roberts.

[Cassiopeia]

4. The courts will never strip one's religious liberties.

What Cruz wants is his religious ideas made into law.

Those are two completely different things.

[Dont call me Shirley]

50. Roberts court has, Hobby Lobby.

[Skittles]

69. Scalia liked his religious views as law too

Last edited Mon Feb 15, 2016, 06:59 AM - Edit history (1)

that's why he SUCKED

[longship]

5. Ted, the majority party does not need to filibuster.

That's a technique only useful for the minority party. Again, Ted. The fucking majority party does not need to filibuster. They control what gets voted on and what doesn't.

Sheesh! What a fucking maroon!

[rainy]

58. They don't want to vote

that's the point. They don't want a hearing and a vote so will keep it from reaching the floor.

[MillennialDem]

64. Actually I see where's coming from. He's scared that a few RINOs (those exist? lol) will

peel off and allow a nomination to get heard. Turd Cruz is putting his threatening to put his Ted in the punch bowl if that happens though.

[longship]

70. Guys, the pinch point is the judiciary committee.

If the nomination doesn't get out of the committee, there will not be a floor vote. So all the GOP has to do is control the committee, which I don't think is a problem here. Plus then there's McTurtle who kind of decides what gets to the floor all by himself.

I'll stand by my post that Cruz is an idiot. The majority party in general does not filibuster.

[muntrv]

6. Uh Ted? Finishing out the final year of an eight year term isn't exactly lame duck.

[Senator Tankerbell]

7. “This should be a decision for the people,”

The people already decided when they reelected Barack Obama in 2012. This shouldn't even be up for discussion. "Advise and consent" does not mean "block any nominee for political purposes". Ted Cruz dishonors the Constitution.

[rurallib]

23. another take on that statement

Teddy, the American people are woefully ignorant on so much. But I can guarantee they are probably most woefully ignorant on things judicial. That is why we elect people to represent us who are supposed to know or be able to learn about things judicial.

That is also why the framers of the constitution selected the president to to nominate a candidate and the senate to give that nominee serious consideration. To remove politics as much as they can. Senators like you are supposed to learn about the person and really learn about the job and try to make an honest judgment

This is a concept that is well beyond "the people." The Courts are often the very last hope for many people. To have them overrun by political hacks with little knowledge or care for our system would be the final knife in the back of democracy with minority rights.

[MillennialDem]

65. Would these obstructionist jackholes promise to seat whoever PRESIDENT BERNIE or HRC

nominate though?

I doubt it, and wouldn't be surprised if they filibuster any new nominations for 8 years. Get ready for some 3-2 decisions in SCOTUS!

[Mike__M]

8. This is expected

And the way they should try to deal with it; they filibuster, we vote--that's how it works, not the partially digested bovine feces they're vomiting about what the President can't do.

[oldtime dfl_er]

10. You get a heart for that

brilliant linguistic skill.

[Mike__M]

11. Why, thank you--

I was inspired by this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027611869

[oldtime dfl_er]

9. At least he won't have Trump in his face

He's deluded enough to think it would be free positive publicity for him. Moron.

[Laurian]

13. I really hate that cretin. Reading anything he says makes my belly hurt.

I do not have the intestinal fortitude to watch his smirky face....ever!

[DhhD]

15. Speaking of the belly; Ted's is swelling but not as big as his head.

[kimmylavin]

14. Ted Cruz...

From the "hold my breath until I pass out" school of government.
Hmm - that might make him turn blue, though!

[C_U_L8R]

16. Strategy sure isn't this guy's forté

For all his blather, Cruz doesn't win many battles.
He may be devious but he's proving to be rather dumb.

[PearliePoo2]

17. You know, I'm not a hateful person, BUT...

I would pay GOOD money to watch someone kick that guy's apocalyptic, smirking ass from here to Sunday.
Yes...yes I would.

[lobodons]

18. Advise and Consent NOT Delay and Filibuster

Not a Constitutional scholar here, but wasn't Bush v. Gore fast tracked to Supreme Court. Well, how about a a case on Advise and Consent being fast tracked to Supreme Court to have them decide that Advise and Consent means just that Advise and Consent NOT Obstruct, Delay, and Filibuster. It can be decided on once and for all. (Will Justice Roberts really want this to be a 4-4 decision..?? I say not.)

[houston16revival]

22. First

new angle I've read this afternoon, interesting

Does the Supreme Court get involved in internal operations of the legislative branch?

Don't even know what would happen if say, am already ratified treaty were ignored by a
President. It's a matter of international law, for sure, but would our Supreme Court be
asked to weigh in?

Would be ironic indeed if, after threatening to sue Obama over Obamacare, the Republicans
found themselves in a lawsuit over their disregard for the Constitution and neglect of duties.

https://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/2015/01/27/boehner-sue-obama-again

[PatrynXX]

19. hey if the crazy conservatives

wanna pretend they are ultra liberal in their strung out mind okay but Obama must via the constitution uphold the law and put forth to the senate and if the senate doesn't to their jobs the people will hold them accountable for it. Although I'd think there's a law against treason but oh well. The American people is Obama and the senate. Senate does not dictate what laws or lack there of that people can follow. This one they simply made up.

nevermind 1. yes religious liberty is on attack but mostly from the tea party 2. good luck selling Abortion your way which is rather deadly . as for Obama, he's legally required to. Since when does ones prescency only last 7 yrs and not 8

[Roland99]

20. Remember the Bush era GOP mantra? "Up or down vote!"

Fucking hypocrites

[madaboutharry]

21. Everything about Ted Cruz is repulsive.

The sight of him makes my flesh crawl.

[jmowreader]

25. Cruz just disqualified himself from being president

No court can "write the Second Amendment out of the Constitution." And why is that, do you ask? It's because the Supreme Court can't amend the Constitution!

Fuck this shit. I know EXACTLY who President Obama needs to nominate: Donald J. Verrilli, the US Solicitor General who argued Obergefell v. Hodges before the Supreme Court.

[valerief]

26. Throw that 'publican ferner outta here!

[truthisfreedom]

27. Which is an impeachable offense.

What a turd. Hey Ted, you taking time off your campaign for this political stunt?

[LiberalElite]

29. .

The Senate’s duty is to advise and consent,” Cruz said on NBC’s “Meet The Press” Sunday. “We’re advising that a lame-duck president in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court.”

NO, you're going to CONSENT, D**K Head.

[thesquanderer]

30. Hard to filibuster from the campaign trail.

Someone may have to explain that he'd have to actually show up.

[LibDemAlways]

33. With apologies to DUers in Texas who did not vote

for this idiot, what the fuck is wrong with your fellow Texans that they would elect such a moronic, shit for brains turd to the US Senate? Even in a political body with some of the most fetid dirtbags on the planet, he is a standout. It's simply beyond belief how stupid these knuckle dragging asshole voters are.

[HooptieWagon]

34. He can filibuster, or campaign...

...pretty hard to do both.

[yurbud]

35. if he's going to filibuster, I hope Harry Reid makes him do a real, stand-on-the-floor-until-you

piss-your-pants-and-longer-one.

[saltpoint]

36. Says poet Robert Bly: There are

- - - - - - - -

"men loosening the nails on Noah’s ark..."

(from "Hatred of Men with Black Hair&quot

- - - - - - - -

Last seen, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas was walking around with a tool kit.

[houston16revival]

37. What if

Obama nominates someone sort of middle of the road. An old style Republican.
Real old style. TR style.

How could the Senate GOP ignore that nomination?

Lincoln Chafee comes to mind.

[droidamus2]

67. What will pobably happen...

President Obama will nominate a moderate/centrist highly qualified jurist for the position and the first thing you will hear from the Republicans is, "This is the most liberal judge ever nominated for the Supreme Court. The President should be ashamed. This nomination is dead on arrival!!!!!"

[tomm2thumbs]

38. will save Americans from having to interact with this idiot on the campaign trail

I think he figures it'll be great press... but really, it'll bring the subject back to his Green Eggs and Ham speech which shows he is an empty vessel

[Jack Rabbit]

39. If there's one thing Cruz excells at it's being obnoxious

He's obnoxious even by Mitch McConnell's standards. Just think about that.

[DonCoquixote]

41. pure crass, no class

and Ted is running on a "you better not deny me my chance to put in someone so far right he makes Tony look like Bernie Sanders" platform.

[onehandle]

42. Canada. nt

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

43. Can you filibuster from the campaign trail?

Or would he actually have to show up for work to do so?

[houston16revival]

45. Democrats

may do better at the polls in November if a nominee is stalled
than if he is confirmed because

people will feel relief if Democrats won the fight and won't
feel the urgency to vote even though 5 geriatrics to 4 is never safe.

What are Republican Senators going to do when they sense this might happen

[iandhr]

46. Please proceed Senator

The more you people talk the more you people show that none of you are qualified to be President

[Marthe48]

47. Hampering just to hamper

If the idiots in the Senate refuse to act, because they think they are getting a repug in the White House, how much more bottled up will our legal system become? How does their inaction affect business? How can anyone who is elected to high office make their decisions just on hate? I hope that we Dems not only take the White House, but we get the Senate and House and delete the entire loathsome dismal nonperformance of those repug eunuchs.

Oh yeah, I hope President Obama nominates Bill Clinton. The hell with the ruling he couldn't serve. Just the hell with it.

[d_legendary1]

48. I hope Obama nominates Noam Chomsky

I would pay to see Satan losing his shit over such an appointment.

[turbinetree]

49. Hey, Cruzless...............................

I know you like to go around and toot your horn that you were a law clerk----------------look at what that got us!

This country has had over thirty years of this right wing contempt and control from your conservative right wing bench, and we are going to demand a progressive judge to this bench-----------------------------

And by the way you do understand the Pre-Amble of the Constitution don't you, before you rant about Article II Section 2 Paragraph 3 & 4.

You should have to understand the Pre-Amble before you go into the Constitution





http://kids.laws.com/preamble-of-the-constitution



Honk--------------------for a political revolution Bernie 2016

[HassleCat]

51. Go for it, Ted.

I wanna see you pee your pants.

[HooptieWagon]

54. Are Canadians even allowed to filibuster?

[onecaliberal]

55. Well if he's going to do anything but blow smoke, he's going to actually have to show up

To work. Not sure if he even remembers the way anymore.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

56. And I hope the Democrats make hay if he does

The ideal tactic would be, "Look at Ted Cruz and the Republicans. They want to take over the White House, but all they do in Congress is cause trouble."

But I'm not hopeful. It wouldn't be "bipartisan" (ugh--one of my most hated words, because it always means "groveling in front of the Republicans and begging them not to get upset) to mention what slimy weasels the Republican Congress critters are.

[ebayfool]

57. This was already decided by the people. When they put Obama in the WH. Twice.

“This should be a decision for the people,” Cruz said ...

[brooklynite]

60. Taking him off the campaign trail for an indefinite period...

...such dedication.

[greymouse]

61. benefit?

I'm not up to speed on filibusters. In my youth, the person filibustering actually had to be there and talking. I think they changed that?

If it's still the case, it would get Cruz off the campaign trail. How long do you think he'd do that.

[vinny9698]

62. Rubio would have to follow or the GOP base would eat him alive

Rubio would have to go or be called a non vote.,

[trillion]

66. The people voted for Obama, so his nominee IS the decision of the people. Filibustering him is the

decision for the far right minority.

[4dsc]

72. Will it get him off the campaign trail?

Rafael is an idiot.

[Vinca]

73. Donald, if you see this . . . please. PLEASE. PLEASE!!

Sue the pants off this asshole re his citizenship. It might be a waste of time, but a large chunk of GOP voters will become convinced he's a Canadian. The only thing worse than Cruz in the Senate is Cruz in the White House.