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

[MT Treasurer]

And people wonder why Democrats are favored to retain the White House. This kind of childish behavior on the part of Congressional Republicans is exactly why most people hate politics.

Again, we've been doing this for years. Why did we win the last midterms?

Because nobody showed up to vote. That's the only reason Republicans ever win any election since 2010.

Scott Walker, Paul LePage and Cory Gardner would like to have a word with you.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

And people wonder why Democrats are favored to retain the White House. This kind of childish behavior on the part of Congressional Republicans is exactly why most people hate politics.

Again, we've been doing this for years. Why did we win the last midterms?

Because nobody showed up to vote. That's the only reason Republicans ever win any election since 2010.

So, Democratic voters are lazy and uneducated? Ok.

[Asian Nazi]

Gotta love the "muh turnout" crap.  Atlas Democrats have learned nothing from the past eight years lol

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

The Senate doesn't have the privilege of picking whoever they want for the court.

If the candidates don't mention it themselves, it at least comes up in debates on cable news, written articles, etc. It's part of the job and Obama should be allowed to fulfill it.

But we do have the privilege of shooting down anyone Obama tries to appoint. Obama has the right to nominate whoever he wants, but not to flat out fully appoint them.

If the Senate blocks a reasonable nominee, Obama should call them out every single day on it. Every single day.

He'd sound like an idiot and nobody would care

I disagree. This is the Supreme Court, this can be framed extremely badly for the GOP.

Yep. Republican obstinacy will be of great benefit to D candidates from the nominee on down to state-level races, by driving out D turnout, and pushing D-leaning independents and non-voters to vote D.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

The Senate doesn't have the privilege of picking whoever they want for the court.

If the candidates don't mention it themselves, it at least comes up in debates on cable news, written articles, etc. It's part of the job and Obama should be allowed to fulfill it.

But we do have the privilege of shooting down anyone Obama tries to appoint. Obama has the right to nominate whoever he wants, but not to flat out fully appoint them.

If the Senate blocks a reasonable nominee, Obama should call them out every single day on it. Every single day.

He'd sound like an idiot and nobody would care

I disagree. This is the Supreme Court, this can be framed extremely badly for the GOP.

Yep. Republican obstinacy will be of great benefit to D candidates from the nominee on down to state-level races, by driving out D turnout, and pushing D-leaning independents and non-voters to vote D.

Most Democratic voters don't even know who Scalia is. They aren't going to turnout for a SCOTUS seat. They only care about free college and muh student loans.

[cinyc]

Could Obama try a recess appointment?

Only if McConnell is stupid enough to allow the Senate to go into recess.  I doubt he is.

Yeah, they are going to hold down the fort all the way through January.

Which means they can only delay an appointment until January 3, 2017.

Unless the Democrats win the Presidency and Senate in November 2016, there won't be one second on or before January 3, 2017 when the Senate isn't in session.

[Classic Conservative]

Time for the Convention of States my friends.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

OK I just read the Senate is in recess until Feb. 22. Obama has nine days.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Time for the Convention of States my friends.

You do realize that this will backfire big time on the Tea Party right?

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

OK I just read the Senate is in recess until Feb. 22. Obama has nine days.

McConnell can call that off at any time, and that's assuming Obama actually wants to try this obviously ethically wrong action.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

OK I just read the Senate is in recess until Feb. 22. Obama has nine days.

The Senate probably claims they're not in recess.

[Stockdale for Veep]

The founders giving every state 2 Senators was the ultimate troll job.

[The Free North]

The founders giving every state 2 Senators was the ultimate troll job.

You clearly miss the point of constitutional federalism.

I know, I know....'muh pure democracy'.

[Brittain33]

And people wonder why Democrats are favored to retain the White House. This kind of childish behavior on the part of Congressional Republicans is exactly why most people hate politics.

Again, we've been doing this for years. Why did we win the last midterms?

Because in the Obama era, the Republican coalition = the electorate that shows up in mid-term elections, while the Democratic coalition = the larger group that shows up in presidential elections.

[YaBoyNY]

Time for the Convention of States my friends.

Holy sh**t

[Lyin' Steve]

Shhhhh, Obama's talking.

[Lyin' Steve]

Ugh, "he was born to an Italian.... IMMIGRANT... family"
show some class Obama.  We all heard that.

[Mike Thick]

Passion for music? Automatic FF, if he wasn't already (which he was)

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

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.

Or Congress rewrites the law.  The six justices are a quorum rule is part of the US Code, not the Constitution.  For that matter that there are nine justices is also established by the US Code and not the Constitution.  If it gets down to seven justices and there is deadlock on nominations, I could see as a "compromise" the court being permanently reduced in size and the quorum cut to five.

[ElectionsGuy]

And people wonder why Democrats are favored to retain the White House. This kind of childish behavior on the part of Congressional Republicans is exactly why most people hate politics.

Again, we've been doing this for years. Why did we win the last midterms?

Because nobody showed up to vote. That's the only reason Republicans ever win any election since 2010.

There was higher turnout in 2010 than 2006 and yet the 'low turnout = Republican' election myth continues.

[jimrtex]

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.

You can't control the consequences either. It can be argued that Obama is just as obstructionist by not naming a centrist judge.

Senators Clinton and Obama both voted against John Roberts (there were only 20 others in their extreme leftist fringe).

[ProgressiveCanadian]

10 pages on Scalia? Even he doesn't deserve that. Let's just be happy this anti gay bigot won't be in th supreme court anymore.

[Brittain33]

Or Congress rewrites the law.

Can you envision a constitutional crisis where four seats are vacant, but Congress and the President compromise to rewrite a law on the same topic?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Or Congress rewrites the law.

Can you envision a constitutional crisis where four seats are vacant, but Congress and the President compromise to rewrite a law on the same topic?

Yes, because allowing for 3-2 decisions wouldn't have the same long term impact as having a solid 7-2 or even 6-3 decisions.  They could possibly amend the law to allow for a lower quorum only in decisions that don't set precedent.

[eric82oslo]

RIP FF

What the  exactly???

Freedom fighter?