RIP:Justice Antonin Scalia

Steelgrave · February 13, 2016, 06:33:17 PM

Even if Obama puts forth a nomination, which I expect he will do, the Senate won't pass the nominee. I expect the process to look like a two-minute drill by the Democrats with the Republicans running time off the clock at every opportunity. And in the end, the Dems won't have the votes anyway.

mirth · February 13, 2016, 06:41:05 PM

I agree that the Senate will not confirm an Obama nominee. This will become the driving issue of the 2016 presidential election. Both sides are going to be motivated by it. The stakes are huge.

LongBlade · February 13, 2016, 06:45:37 PM

Quote from: mirth on February 13, 2016, 06:41:05 PM
I agree that the Senate will not confirm an Obama nominee. This will become the driving issue of the 2016 presidential election. Both sides are going to be motivated by it. The stakes are huge.

+2

I was having visions of Obama trying to do his best to pack the court after the election (or before) but this is definitely the 2:00 minute warning.

For better or worse discussion of the scotus has just risen to the top five.

Looks like I probably owe Bison a beer.

LongBlade · February 13, 2016, 06:46:00 PM

RIP Mr. Scalia.

Bison · February 13, 2016, 06:46:46 PM

God Bless Justice Scalia.

Steelgrave · February 13, 2016, 06:47:27 PM

Quote from: mirth on February 13, 2016, 06:41:05 PM
I agree that the Senate will not confirm an Obama nominee. This will become the driving issue of the 2016 presidential election. Both sides are going to be motivated by it. The stakes are huge.

Especially when you consider Ginsberg and Kennedy are both 79 as well. It's easy to believe the next President may have three appointments in his first term.

mirth · February 13, 2016, 06:48:09 PM

Quote from: Bison on February 13, 2016, 06:46:46 PM
God Bless Justice Scalia.

+1 Condolences to his friends and family.

zap · February 13, 2016, 08:57:57 PM

I find Scalia's death (sad) a real loss for the application and preservation of the constitution. It had to happen on the watch of this presidents watch. Obviously he will try to enter another who does not try to follow the constitution as closely.

A terrible loss for the nation.

Con · February 13, 2016, 10:28:52 PM

Its a risk for the Republicans to not have a nomination for 11 months either. There is no guarantee they will win the senate and if just because Scalia died doesn't mean that the SCOTUS wont stop working. Just now there is one less judge and that can impact how the decisions are made. I found this already written "When the Supreme Court justices split evenly on how to rule, the decision of the lower court stands."

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/what-antonin-scalias-death-means-for-the-supreme-court-and-the-country-20160213

Sir Slash · February 13, 2016, 11:18:06 PM

Maybe Obama will nominate Bernie Sanders to give Hillary a helping hand. She might be able to win against herself.

mirth · February 14, 2016, 12:47:47 AM

Quote from: Con on February 13, 2016, 10:28:52 PM
Its a risk for the Republicans to not have a nomination for 11 months either. There is no guarantee they will win the senate and if just because Scalia died doesn't mean that the SCOTUS wont stop working. Just now there is one less judge and that can impact how the decisions are made. I found this already written "When the Supreme Court justices split evenly on how to rule, the decision of the lower court stands."

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/what-antonin-scalias-death-means-for-the-supreme-court-and-the-country-20160213

It's a risk they are going to have to take. The alternative is to allow Obama to make another liberal nomination. Beyond the effect that would have on decades of future SCOTUS decisions, it would pretty much guarantee a huge backlash from GOP voters.

OJsDad · February 14, 2016, 12:54:06 AM

Of course, if Obama thinks a Dem will win, he may be willing to delay the nomination so he can be nominated. :)

Nefaro · February 14, 2016, 01:03:08 AM

Quote from: zap on February 13, 2016, 08:57:57 PM
I find Scalia's death (sad) a real loss for the application and preservation of the constitution. It had to happen on the watch of this presidents watch. Obviously he will try to enter another who does not try to follow the constitution as closely.

A terrible loss for the nation.

Agreed.

We certainly don't need more Justices with agendas who feel they need to re-interpret long established laws and "rule from the bench" to achieve that agenda. The citizens have elected representatives for that.

vyshka · February 14, 2016, 01:04:24 AM

http://www.scotusblog.com/2016/02/supreme-court-vacancies-in-presidential-election-years/

MetalDog · February 14, 2016, 08:41:05 AM

It's not that politicians have failed to take advantage of opportunities to advance their party's agenda, it just seems that bi-partisanship nowadays is so entrenched in "us versus them." And the ability to appoint and confirm a Supreme Court Justice doesn't come around often enough for this seat NOT to be politically charged.