The Nuclear Option Debate In Two Charts
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Somehow I wasn't actually aware that the Republicans had any case to make here. Seems like the total record with respect to accepted vs. rejected judicial nominees is one reasonable measure of what's been going on. But that doesn't mean that it's not important to look at the comparative number of filibusters of nominees across administrations. That is to say, I don't see how the case associated with Republican's chart does much to mitigate the case represented by the Democrats' chart.
Am I missing something here?
Somehow I wasn't actually aware that the Republicans had any case to make here. Seems like the total record with respect to accepted vs. rejected judicial nominees is one reasonable measure of what's been going on. But that doesn't mean that it's not important to look at the comparative number of filibusters of nominees across administrations. That is to say, I don't see how the case associated with Republican's chart does much to mitigate the case represented by the Democrats' chart.
Am I missing something here?
posted by Winston Smith at
8:09 AM
2 Comments:
I don't think so.. The Democrats are pointing out that the Republicans are obstructing these processes on a pretty clearly unprecedented and ridiculous level. The Republican response is that they don't waste a shitload of time on ALL of the nominations.
Of course, it doesn't take but a few to waste a shitload of time, and when the Democrats' chart is taken into consideration...
No I don't think you're missing anything here.
I have very mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, my reading of "advice and consent" means an up down vote on all Presidential nominations, so this feels right to me. On the other, the filibuster for Judicial nominations has been going on since well before I was born, so its clearly, at least on some level accepted. But, again on the other hand, the Republicans have been bat shit crazy about this, its not like the President has nominated the Democratic equivalent of Harriet Miers and the Democrats are trying to push her through. The three judges who are the biggest issue are being held up simply because Republicans are afraid of losing control over the Federal Circuit, not a reason that is worthy of the filibuster. That said, once again on the other hand, as dysfunctional as the Senate is, it has always been a moderating force on the Hill, and while today this is just for lower court judges and executive appointments, whats to stop either party from expanding it to the Supreme Court and legislation in the future. Finally, Democrats need to remember that they WILL, 100%, without a doubt, lose the White House and the Senate at some point in the future, when that day comes, those who are celebrating this are gonna made as hell when a Republican President appoints a new Scalia and they can't block it.
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