Scalia just died (really). How will this affect the race?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The last time a Justice died (Rehnquist), I believe Roberts was named the successor two days later.

That was completely different because Roberts had been nominated to replace O'Connor who was resigning once she had a successor confirmed.

Yea, they just slotted him over to the Chief Justice spot.

[The Other Castro]

The last time a Justice died (Rehnquist), I believe Roberts was named the successor two days later.

That was completely different because Roberts had been nominated to replace O'Connor who was resigning once she had a successor confirmed.

Yea, they just slotted him over to the Chief Justice spot.

Oh true, I forgot.

[Stockdale for Veep]

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

Who says the system doesn't work.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

And then once it goes below 6, they'll just get to twiddle their thumbs all day waiting for a quorum.

[Ljube]

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

And then once it goes below 6, they'll just get to twiddle their thumbs all day waiting for a quorum.

Receiving fat salaries for that.

[LLR]

He was definitely a (an?) HP, but regardless, may he rest in peace.

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Just in case anyone thought this election wasn't partisan enough.

At least we now have an answer to the question "Can the Republicans break the government any more than they already have?"

[DrScholl]

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

So you think it's reasonable to leave vacancies on the court until a Republican is elected President? That's nuts, but whatever.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

GOD WOW

54s54 seconds ago 

Interesting, there are 54 Republicans in McConnell's majority.

[Mr.Phips]

Thank you, Mark Uterus, Bruce Braley, Shelley Berkley and Alexi Giannoulias! lol

And Russ Feingold.

[Ljube]

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

So you think it's reasonable to leave vacancies on the court until a Republican is elected President? That's nuts, but whatever.

No, allowing supremacy of Obamabots is nuts. If Obama nominated a real, impartial, centrist justice, that would be acceptable. But he won't.

[psychprofessor]

This just raised the stakes for both sides - I think Republicans have to re-think if they want to go ahead with Trump and risk losing the Presidency and SCOTUS. I think Dems have to think if they want to take a chance of nominating Sanders and losing ALL branches of govt. My gut says Cruz and Clinton get second looks from people that may not have been strong supporters.

[tallguy23]

An aside: If you're cheering the death of someone solely on ideological grounds, you need some help. He has a family, kids, friends, etc. Scalia is a person, not a political prop, be respectful.

[DrScholl]

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

So you think it's reasonable to leave vacancies on the court until a Republican is elected President? That's nuts, but whatever.

No, allowing supremacy of Obamabots is nuts. If Obama nominated a real, impartial, centrist justice, that would be acceptable. But he won't.

The President gets to nominate judges, that's how the system works. Let's not even pretend like Republicans would approve anyone other than an extremely right-wing judge. Their idea of fair and impartial is the complete opposite of the what the words mean.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

This just raised the stakes for both sides - I think Republicans have to re-think if they want to go ahead with Trump and risk losing the Presidency and SCOTUS. I think Dems have to think if they want to take a chance of nominating Sanders and losing ALL branches of govt. My gut says Cruz and Clinton get second looks from people that may not have been strong supporters.

Most republicans, including establishment stalwarts, feel Trump is more electable than Cruz.

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

So you think it's reasonable to leave vacancies on the court until a Republican is elected President? That's nuts, but whatever.

No, allowing supremacy of Obamabots is nuts. If Obama nominated a real, impartial, centrist justice, that would be acceptable. But he won't.

The President gets to nominate judges, that's how the system works. Let's not even pretend like Republicans would approve anyone other than an extremely right-wing judge. Their idea of fair and impartial is the complete opposite of the what the words mean.

Obama is going to at least try a clear liberal nomination. That's not any more impartial.

[Brittain33]

Only on atlas people would call this monster an FF.

Only people on Atlas would cheer his death.

Condolences to his family and friends.

That said, it's not his fault or anyone else's that SC Justice is the rare position that is a lifetime appointment. Like it or not, his death has dramatic policy implications, and everyone knows that's how it goes.

[OkThen]

I wonder if all GOP candidates saying "we should wait" would be willing to pledge not to make a SCOTUS nomination in the last year of their presidency if elected.

[DrScholl]

This just raised the stakes for both sides - I think Republicans have to re-think if they want to go ahead with Trump and risk losing the Presidency and SCOTUS. I think Dems have to think if they want to take a chance of nominating Sanders and losing ALL branches of govt. My gut says Cruz and Clinton get second looks from people that may not have been strong supporters.

Most republicans, including establishment stalwarts, feel Trump is more electable than Cruz.

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

So you think it's reasonable to leave vacancies on the court until a Republican is elected President? That's nuts, but whatever.

No, allowing supremacy of Obamabots is nuts. If Obama nominated a real, impartial, centrist justice, that would be acceptable. But he won't.

The President gets to nominate judges, that's how the system works. Let's not even pretend like Republicans would approve anyone other than an extremely right-wing judge. Their idea of fair and impartial is the complete opposite of the what the words mean.

Obama is going to at least try a clear liberal nomination. That's not any more impartial.

That's not the point. The point is that Republicans are not going to approve anyone other than someone extremely conservative. This isn't a matter of Republicans wanting an impartial and fair justice.

[psychprofessor]

This just raised the stakes for both sides - I think Republicans have to re-think if they want to go ahead with Trump and risk losing the Presidency and SCOTUS. I think Dems have to think if they want to take a chance of nominating Sanders and losing ALL branches of govt. My gut says Cruz and Clinton get second looks from people that may not have been strong supporters.

Most republicans, including establishment stalwarts, feel Trump is more electable than Cruz.

What happens if the new President isn't a Republican?

We will have 8 Supreme Court justices until someone else dies, at which point, we will have 7 Supreme Court justices.

So you think it's reasonable to leave vacancies on the court until a Republican is elected President? That's nuts, but whatever.

No, allowing supremacy of Obamabots is nuts. If Obama nominated a real, impartial, centrist justice, that would be acceptable. But he won't.

The President gets to nominate judges, that's how the system works. Let's not even pretend like Republicans would approve anyone other than an extremely right-wing judge. Their idea of fair and impartial is the complete opposite of the what the words mean.

Obama is going to at least try a clear liberal nomination. That's not any more impartial.

Yes, but do conservatives trust Trump? I can see an opening here for people to question his conservative credentials and say he doesn't have the stomach for these types of fights. I think Cruz can establish himself at the true conservative who will fight for their principles. In any event, my point was I thought he would get a second look.

[Asian Nazi]

Good riddance.  Can't wait to see who TRUMP appoints to replace him.

[Ljube]

I wonder if all GOP candidates saying "we should wait" would be willing to pledge not to make a SCOTUS nomination in the last year of their presidency if elected.

Of course not. Republicans can be trusted to pick an impartial candidate. Democrats cannot.

[Asian Nazi]

There are no moderate Supreme Court Justices or Senators. Why is that so hard for Atlas to understand? lol

This is the forum that thinks that Bloomberg could win the presidency as a third party candidate lol

[Comrade Funk]

Good riddance.  Can't wait to see who TRUMP appoints to replace him.

Don't be surprised if a President Trump nominates himself and his ego.

[Ljube]

TRUMP will nominate Cruz.

[BM]

My God, the GOP is already predictably despicable. As if the public didn't know Obama could be appointing more justices when they reelected him in 2012. This always comes up in presidential elections and the public has ALREADY DECIDED what should happen in this instance - Obama gets to make the appointment that should be approved as long as the qualifications as there. Utterly ridiculous.