Thoughts on the subject(s) of Souter's replacement...

[rasputin1952]

First and foremost, regardless of whom is selected, some people will be happy, some sad and some mad. Some will see the nominee as a Progressive, some will not, that is the way things inevitably go in the world of politics.

I don't know who the nominee will be, for that matter, neither does anyone else, although there are some "bets" going on and speculation is pretty rampant, the reality of the situation is, until the president makes a choice, we're all pretty well in the dark.

Now going by President Obama's temperament and his pretty darn good judgment, I am of the mind that his nominee will be pretty darn good. I don't know what gender, what racial background, what religion or anything else about the future nominee, and to be honest, I really find most of that superfluous, but that's just me. What I do know, is that the president will make this choice after serious thought and a thorough screening. President Obama is not a bush or other idiot, he is an intelligent man that knows that a USSC Justice is an important job and his choice will be made with that as a primary consideration. The president knows this is about the future, and will keep that as one criteria in his selection.

Speculation is fine, but it must be understood that speculation can also be a double edged sword. Firing up people ensures that there will be discontent and flamewars in the future. I am willing to wait for the president to make his choice and then do a little research to find out the judicial temperament of the nominee. History has shown that even the most "obvious" potential nominee is often sidelined and some "obscure" jurist is placed into the process. My bet is, this will be the situation. We shall see.

The main thing about this post though is, we should all get a voice in whom we'd like to see nominated, but I have serious doubts as to whether the membership at DU will have much of an affect. Something tells me, we will all most likely be surprised at the nominee when we hear the name. As I started this thread, some will be happy, some will be sad and some will be mad...let's keep that in perspective as we discuss this.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

[firedupdem]

1. Spot On! n/t

[Aloha Spirit]

2. Aw, the speculation is so fun. You have all these ridiculously qualified people and you try to

figure out which one has the best temperament, or most exquisite sense of justice.
And then that person becomes one of the most powerful people in the world.

[rasputin1952]

3. Unfortunately...I recall when ghwb said Clarence Thomas was...

"the most qualified to be a USSC Justice". Many, including me laughed, and then, as it became apparent his nomination would go through...I shuddered.

Speculation is fun...so are fireworks...until something goes wrong...:D

:hi:

[Aloha Spirit]

4. Well, the other thing you could argue is, Obama expects Congress to advise as well as consent

Just because Bush ignored that advice doesn't mean Obama will.I think he'll eoncourage it.

[rasputin1952]

5. As do I...

Obama is light years ahead of bush on many aspects...certainly his intellect stands in amazing contrast to bush...:D

[ClarkUSA]

6. "Firing up people ensures that there will be discontent and flamewars in the future."

Past is prologue: You've succinctly described the standard MO when it comes to any of Pres. Obama's major decisions, although
this decision will be in another category of "major" altogether. I'd rather not indulge in idle speculation, given none of us have
any say right now. Like you and many others around here, I trust Pres. Obama to pick the right person for the job and am not
interested in setting up GDP for a fall.

[Two Americas]

12. having a say

All of us always have a say.

Trusting or no trusting Obama may be an issue for you, but is not necessarily an issue for others.

People are free to speculate, idly or otherwise, and I don't agree that this is causing trouble and that people should refrain from doing that.


...

[FrenchieCat]

7. I agree. It ain't like this will be his only chance of picking a new Justice.....

Folks should not act as though he's got to fulfill all of the requirements they are designating with this one pick. Doing so is rather foolish, IMO.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[saltpoint]

9. Sounds like a plan.

Specifically, it sounds like a FAIR plan. It opens the field to maximum practical consideration and praises the president who will make the choice.

Recommended.

[saltpoint]

10. Also I like the notion that when President Obama walks up to the mike to

introduce his appointee, he does so as the "new" president, the "vigorous" president, the "with-it" president, a man 2/3rds of voters feel is taking their country in the right direction.

They think he is intelligent and they like him.

The no-no nitwits in the Senate will be hard-pressed to reject Obama's choice for Souter's replacement.

[firedupdem]

11. Exactly!

:thumbsup:

[Uzybone]

13. Very sensible post

thanks.

[Honeycombe8]

14. What? A common sense thought on the subject? You don't think The Boss should be the nominee?

Or Alec Baldwin?

[Uzybone]

15. I'm pretty DU jaded, but I didnt see this post about civility going downhill so fast

wow. Asking for civility sure riles up the uncivil.

[Two Americas]

17. objection

I have posted in disagreement with the OP. I have not been uncivil on this thread, let alone should I be described as being an uncivil person. I strongly object to all who may disagree with the OP being described as uncivil people.

I also disagree that the OP was asking for civility. The OP is saying that if those who disagree with his point of view would be quiet, then there would be peace, and that if they don't they will be to blame for any subsequent lack of civility.


...

[Number23]

24. It sure as hell does.

Asking for civility sure riles up the uncivil.

And so many here are sick of it. Fucking sick of it.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted sub-thread

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[Name removed]

18. Deleted sub-thread

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[Vanje]

19. Obama should reach across the aisle

maybe select Pastor Rick Warren.
Or Pat Buchannan.
This will keep a dialog going with the other side of America, and keep the country unified, .....(except for the gays.....and maybe a few of the Jews, and some foreigners. But there are'nt that many gays and Jews, except in a couple of big cities, so politically, it'll be a really good move. Be assured, doubters, Obama has done the math.
There just are'nt that many gays and jews, and besides, Obama is really going to deliver on the gay rights stuff, You bet. just not right away.

[Jamastiene]

20. Your OP might not have been flame bait had you not added this sentence:

"Firing up people ensures that there will be discontent and flamewars in the future."

That sentence is technically correct, though, as you have demonstrated with your OP. As it stands right now, you might as well have fired the first shots at Fort Sumpter with that post.

That is not an example of a post that inspires civility. It is an example of a divisive post that "ensures that there will be discontent and flamewars."

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tigereye]

22. ras!

How are ya? :pals: :thumbsup:

[rasputin1952]

23. Doing fine...

:hi:

[Number23]

25. Yeah, well I'm still pulling for this gal.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=258x5577

:)

[Skinner]

26. For the record, I deleted that sub-thread

You all know that moderators do not make policy. Furthermore, you don't even listen when I make DU policy. So let's stop pretending that this utterly non-offensive OP has taken away your free speech or whatever.

Now, for some reason, a small number of people are going to a substantial amount of effort trying to twist this OP into something it isn't, and I'm wondering why exactly they would go to the time and trouble to do that. But whatever the reason, it's made me decide to dust off http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules_detailed.html">this rule:

Your Freedom to Leave

All visitors to the Democratic Underground website are here voluntarily. Nobody is forcing you to post on this message board. The administrators try their best to be fair, and to make Democratic Underground a welcoming place for progressives who like Democratic Underground and who want to be here. If you do not like Democratic Underground, or the members of Democratic Underground, or the way we run Democratic Underground, then we strongly suggest that you exercise your right to leave. If we decide that you do not like this place very much, then we reserve the right to show you the door ourselves.

Now that is a shot across the bow, and one which some of you would be wise to pay attention to.

[Number23]

27. Ka-pow!!

:nuke:

:thumbsup:

[firedupdem]

28. +1 n/t

[Uzybone]

33. +2

[Grateful for Hope]

29. Thank you, Skinner. n/t

[Danger Mouse]

30. Wow.

Just wow.
I love the last sentence especially. :D

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

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[Danger Mouse]

31. This uh...this thread seems to have gone poorly.

For what it's worth, I agree with your post, buuut...
well...
I could've predicted that some people would twist your words to infer a meaning that's not there.

[ClarkUSA]

36. I hope the wisdom in this very reasonable OP is not ignored in the months to come.

[tbyg52]

37. I don't care whether I have any "affect" or not and I don't care if I'm a "double-edged sword."

I just don't like being told to shut up.

[Two Americas]

38. heh

A discussion without any annoying and distracting discussion cluttering things up.

[cooolandrew]

39. I think your assessment is spot on there. n/t