GOP Prepares for Second Supreme Court Battle

[babylonsister]

GOP Prepares for Second Supreme Court Battle
Sept. 14, 2009
By John Stanton
Roll Call Staff


Senate Republicans said that while they may not have the muscle to block a new Supreme Court nomination should Justice John Paul Stevens retire this term, the fight could turn out to be a boon for the party come November 2010.

Stevens, who will turn 90 in April, has only hired one law clerk for the court’s current session, rather than the standard three or four. Because retiring justices only retain one clerk, speculation has grown that the leader of the court’s left wing may be preparing to step aside.

Senate consideration of President Barack Obama’s second high court pick would be starkly different than that of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, whose confirmation brought few fireworks and moved with relative ease. Many Senators predicted that another Supreme Court nomination would not move so smoothly and would instead more closely mirror the partisan high court brawls of the 1980s.

While conservatives were never able to mount a strong opposition to Sotomayor — in part because of her moderate record as a federal jurist — a more liberal nominee would likely incite a major GOP offensive.

more...

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_24/news/38440-1.html?type=printer_friendly

[saltpoint]

1. Good post. Very likely the Far Right is looking ahead to this next

appointment, even though we don't know if or when Stevens is leaving, at least not officially, and we don't know who's on the president's short-list for replacement noms.

It's good to take a look at the route ahead in advance, especially when we sense that the modern-day GOP specializes in character assassination.

Two terms for Obama means a lot more judicial appointments at different levels.

I'm for it.

Rec'd.

:thumbsup: :hi:

[TankLV]

11. The repukes are ALWAYS looking AHEAD to THEIR next batt.e - while Democrats are always REACTING with

utter SURPRISE and ALWAYS LATE to the LAST battle, let alone the CURRENT one...!!!

[saltpoint]

17. Agree. It never hurts for us to take that good long look down the road

as early as possible.

[47of74]

2. The reich didn't really keep their powder dry for Sotomayor

[msongs]

3. maybe the bipartisan nonsense will finally be dead by then and we can get

a 30 year old flamin liberal on the court.

Msongs

[babylonsister]

5. Could be right before the 2010 election; I predict a big, fat partisan mess. nt

[Statistical]

4. While it is good to replace Stevens with someone younger...

nothing really changes unless one of the "4" are replaced or to a lesser extent Kennedy is replaced.

[NYC Liberal]

6. We can only hope Scalia or Thomas will call it quits

but that's highly doubtful unless they're diagnosed with some terminal illness or something. They're in their early 70s I believe.

[Renew Deal]

8. Thomas is 61

Scalia is 73

I would love it if a Obama got to replace those guys.

[tekisui]

15. Scalia is the nastiest. I would love to see him spend out the rest

of his days duck hunting with dick.

[tekisui]

14. I wish Kennedy would realize how nice retirement could be.

[Javaman]

7. prepare for a moderate being pushed down our throats.

I seriously doubt we not only will not get a liberal nominee but one won't even be considered.

[WI_DEM]

10. did you know that Stevens was considered a moderate when nominated and a republican to boot?

[TankLV]

12. Shows HOW FAR TO THE RIGHT WING WACKOS this country has moved - EVERYTIME!!!

THEY push the envelope to the EXTREME RIGHT WING everytime, and we barely get to move it to RIGHT OF CENTER - everytime!!!

[WI_DEM]

9. It's all about getting there base out to vote in '10--and I think they will be more successful than

we will. The right is fired up and they will vote. From what I read here on DU, I'm not so sure about the left.

[bigwillq]

13. DEMS will likely lose many seats in 2010

That's traditionally what happens to the party in power during mid-terms. I am not too enthused for 2010 because this current crop, including the Prez, has been disappointing.

[kenny blankenship]

16. Nominate the best liberal that can be found

GOP readying major offensive? Oooh I shaking all over in fear.