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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#327676: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:14:34 PM

Considering two Republican justices were added under flagrantly illegal conditions all we're doing is balancing it out.

ShinyCottonCandy Everyone's friend Malamar from Lumiose City (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Everyone's friend Malamar
#327677: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:14:48 PM

@Redmess: Nope, Mcconnel changed the rules to allow conservatives to speed through the process unimpeded.

Edit: “pretty sure” definitely does not fit the needed tone here.

Edited by ShinyCottonCandy on Sep 18th 2020 at 8:15:57 AM

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nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#327678: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:14:59 PM

@Redmess Depends on how determined the GOP is. If they have 50 votes there's not much Democrats can do.

The question is do they have 50.

Edited by nova92 on Sep 18th 2020 at 5:15:32 AM

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#327679: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:15:16 PM

Who has the power to expand the Court? Is that Executive or Congressional power?

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#327680: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:15:26 PM

Nope, because of intentionally obstructionist senates in the past refusing to confirm anyone.

And even if there was something, then it's easy to scrap any rule that isn't "just a simple majority is enough".

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#327681: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:15:38 PM

@nova92: *checks* Even if Collins, Murkowski and Romney all break ranks, that'll still be 50. We'd need one more rogue to avoid Pence being the tiebreaker.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#327682: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:16:02 PM

@Redmass, nope. Mitch went nuclear on filibusters as far as court appointments go.

As for Collins, Murkowski, and their ilks... until they vote Nay on any given issue, I expect nothing from them. Never Trust A Republican.

[up]There are other Senators at risk. But I doubt they'll be swayed.

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Sep 18th 2020 at 9:16:39 AM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#327683: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:18:12 PM

Yeah I don't trust any GOP Senator to do the right thing. But can enough of them be convinced to act in their own self interest?

Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#327684: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:18:48 PM

Expanding the Supreme Court is technically a legislative process, going by FDR's attempt.

ShinyCottonCandy Everyone's friend Malamar from Lumiose City (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Everyone's friend Malamar
#327685: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:20:03 PM

[up][up]I think their interests are more aligned with the end results of judicial confirmation, to the point anyone actually at risk would be more than willing to pull a Villainous Sacrifice.

Edited by ShinyCottonCandy on Sep 18th 2020 at 8:20:12 AM

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Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#327686: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:20:56 PM

@Rationalinsanity: Trust is irrelevant. We're trying to figure out what can happen right now.

So as you noted, nobody's trustworthy, and it's a long shot to expect more than 3 defectors - though I think Murkowski and Romney at least will make a meaningless protest against Justice Roy Moore or similar. Collins will probably be given a pass if she asks, at least if they don't rush the appointment through during November/December when nobody can do anything about it.

astrokitty Happiness is a cup of tea from Somewhere Out There Since: May, 2014 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
Happiness is a cup of tea
#327687: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:22:19 PM

In short: everything's fucked and it's going to take a lot of effort and luck to makes things okay again.

Somebody once told me the world was macaroni, I took a bite out of a tree
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#327688: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:22:35 PM

[up][up]That is a key question we've yet to ask; do they ram this through before the election or after it?

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Sep 18th 2020 at 9:22:48 AM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#327689: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:23:14 PM

I don't think any Republican would object to anyone Trump might propose. Why would they? That seems far-fetched to me.

nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#327690: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:23:17 PM

I looked at Kavanaugh. Kennedy announced his retirement late June, Kavanaugh was confirmed early October. Taking into account the sexual assault hearings, Trump/Mitch could probably have a person through before Election Day if the entire GOP is on board. After Election Day is a lot harder.


Is Perdue willing to lose his seat over this? Daines? Ernst? Graham?

nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#327691: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:24:23 PM

[up][up][up] Martha McSally probably loses meaning she's immediately out. That makes it harder to push someone through after the election. (Sorry for the double post)

Edited by nova92 on Sep 18th 2020 at 5:24:55 AM

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#327692: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:25:09 PM

[up]x5

In short: everything's fucked and it's going to take a lot of effort and luck to makes things okay again.

That's certainly still better than "we're fucked, end of story".

Edited by AlleyOop on Sep 18th 2020 at 8:25:20 AM

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#327693: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:25:59 PM

@nova92: Why do you say that? I would think a lame-duck truncated hearing would be easy as pie to arrange once the Republican senators aren't campaigning. Remember that the Senators who are voted out don't change until January.

Edited by Ramidel on Sep 18th 2020 at 4:26:28 AM

Voltron64 Since: Jul, 2016
#327694: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:27:04 PM

Whatever evil that'll ensue we should probably make them pay tenfold.

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#327695: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:28:06 PM

I expect to see McConnell trying to complete the entire process by this time next week.

nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#327696: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:28:28 PM

I meant that if the Mc Sally loses her special election, the replacement will be seated before January. The GOP loses a vote.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#327697: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:29:14 PM

We're saying the GOP senators might lose their seat over confirming a Conservative justice, but isn't it more likely they'd be convinced it's the only way to save their seats?

I wonder if the Democrats can at least try to pull the "It's an election year" excuse out to, if nothing else, bring up the blatant hypocrisy of how the Senate delayed confirming Garland.

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#327698: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:30:34 PM

Have we had any statements from GOP senators?

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#327699: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:30:57 PM

Why would they not immediately bring it up and try to push the inevitable "but it's differeeeeeeeeeeeeeent" response everywhere?

nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#327700: Sep 18th 2020 at 5:32:40 PM

Mitch already tried it. He said in Garland's case the Senate and President were from different parties and now they would be from the same party, like that somehow made sense.


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