SCOTUS nominee expected as early as this morning EDIT: looks like it's Garland

[Blue3]

SCOTUS nominee expected as early as this morning, and it looks like it came down to Sri or Merrick.


I'm thinking it's Sri Srinivasan. He got a 97-0 confirmation, in 2013. Almost all of those Senators are still here, and that was well after the Tea Party and Obama-phobia swept the GOP. Yet he still got a unanimous confirmation.

And I know it's probably not an important consideration, especially when it comes to President Obama's methodical rational approach, but it will also be bad optics for the GOP to stand in the way of progress for a (South)Asian-American making history. Especially one so qualified that they, VERY recently, voted to confirm unanimously. In an election year where they've already insulted Hispanic-Americans and African-Americans and Women. While at the same time it would be considered a win by the progressive wing (look at his rulings), simultaneously putting pressure on Republicans too. An all-win situation.

[The Other Castro]

I think it's Sri if he thinks he can get a nominee confirmed, and Merrick if he doesn't think he can.

[Ebsy]

I'm ready for this fight.

[This account no longer in use.]

Okay. It's time to take bets on who will be the first to say something ridiculous that will ruin their reelection chances.

[Yan]

Okay. It's time to take bets on who will be the first to say something ridiculous that will ruin their reelection chances.

Ron Johnson, not that he had chances to begin with.

[Mr. Morden]

Obama will announce the pick at 11am:

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/obama-to-announce-supreme-court-pick-at-11-am-220851

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

I'd pick Sri if I were him. Garland's too old for my tastes; Sri would have an extra fifteen years of tenure on the Court or so.

[Admiral Kizaru]

Clever announcing it right after Trump's wins last night.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Dems win by either winning confirmation of if not, GOP SENATE is history

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Dems win by either winning confirmation of if not, GOP SENATE is history

Not if GOP retains senate and win presidency. Prepare for Justice Cru or Lee.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

They're not, polling is bad in OH, IL, WI & FL and NV, 4 seats needed for Dem majority. Obama is over 50 % Approval, inc party usually are reelected, see Bush W in 2004 and Bush I in 1988.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Rooting for Garland. A sound, moderate pick.

[Bojack Horseman]

I'm going with Sri Srinivasin personally. That 97-0 vote, and the fact that Ted Cruz said he has a future in the federal judiciary, I can't wait to see him eat his words. This election is like the perfect storm.

[GLPman]

I'm going with Sri Srinivasin personally. That 97-0 vote, and the fact that Ted Cruz said he has a future in the federal judiciary, I can't wait to see him eat his words. This election is like the perfect storm.

I agree -- I think it will be Sri for these reasons. Kelley also is a good choice because it forces the GOP to eat its words, but she wasn't on the list of the final three contenders that the White House released yesterday. I doubt Obama will choose Garland, at least as his initial pick, due to Garland's age. Obama has always focused on his legacy when nominating judges to SCOTUS, and both Sri and Watford are young enough to actually carry on that legacy if nominated.

[Landslide Lyndon]

Dems win by either winning confirmation of if not, GOP SENATE is history

Not if GOP retains senate and win presidency.

Or if aliens attack and destroy our planet, which seems to be a more plausible scenario.

[Mr. Morden]

AP says the nominee is Garland:

https://twitter.com/AP/status/710102494702149632

[Mr. Morden]

Both HuffPo and Politico reporters have also tweeted that "Dem sources" say it's Garland:

https://twitter.com/seungminkim/status/710102123854352385

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https://twitter.com/jbendery/status/710101155280502785

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[Mr. Morden]

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/16/politics/obama-supreme-court-announcement/index.html

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[Zache]

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Hmm.

[Mr. Morden]

I hope Starwatcher doesn't mind, but I used my mod powers to include Garland's name in the thread topic title, since everyone's now reporting that it's him.  I'll remove it if Obama surprises us, and announces someone else. 

[rpryor03]

Garland.

Hmm. Did I call it? I called it.

[Blue3]

I hope Starwatcher doesn't mind, but I used my mod powers to include Garland's name in the thread topic title, since everyone's now reporting that it's him.  I'll remove it if Obama surprises us, and announces someone else. 

Of course, was just about to do it myself

[100% pro-life no matter what]

I don't know much about him.  He would probably be unacceptable to people like me, I would guess, though?

[Zache]

I don't know much about him.  He would probably be unacceptable to people like me, I would guess, though?

He's an old, experienced, and slightly-left judge. If this was 2009 and not 2016 he'd probably get by with a large bipartisan majority.

[Bojack Horseman]

Why?? Sri was a much younger, and much more, ahem, bipartisan choice that would have made the Republicans look even more extreme for the election this fall.