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

[Ljube]

RIP FF

[Ljube]

I feel ill. This is like the one thing that could force me to vote Pub in November. The Clean Power Plan, affirmative action, mandatory public sector union fees, DACA: this was a big term. 4-4 decisions are going to reinforce the status quo.

Welcome to the TRUMP team!

[Ljube]

Everyone keep an eye out for this guy: Sri Srinivasan

Next Supreme Court Justice, calling it now.

Another Lawrence liberal? No way!

[Ljube]

He wasn't a great person, but I won't grave dance.

With that said, this is going to impact the Presidential race. Republicans refusing to have a vote on the nomination is going to give the Democratic nominee a major talking point about how obstructionist the Republican Party is.

I disagree. The prospect of another eco fanatic activist justice will probably increase Pub turnout. Blocking Obama's flawed candidates can only help increase this turnout.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Ljube]

TRUMP will nominate Cruz.

[Ljube]

Mitch McConnell says no replacement until January 2017.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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

I find McConnell's comments very premature.
1.) He should show respect towards Scalia's death, and not make any serious comments/decisions on anything related to a replacement until the guy is at least buried. (This goes for everyone in DC.)
2.) He should wait to see what the President does, or who he may nominate. To just say that it is a dead issue (no pun intended) until January is disrespectful to the Constitutional process & looks like complete obstructionism.

LOL. Only Dem hacks think this way.

[Ljube]

Republicans can block whoever they want to, but they cannot control what consequences come from being incredibly obstructionist. This could cost them the Senate and the Presidency, which would make this obstruction an exercise in futility.

If anything, this will increase their chances of retaining the Senate and winning the Presidency.

[Ljube]

It will help Clinton, as she is perceived to be most likely to win and unite the Dem party. A sign at Mondale's 1984 campaign said "Save the Supreme Court. Vote Democratic." We can expect something similar this year, assuming Scalia is not replaced this year.

That's a very nice thing to say and wish for - Clinton going the way of Mondale. It's a beautiful thing.