THE QUEEN IS DEAD .. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN.
In 2008, Barack Obama won the presidency. On his coattails was the Senate and the House, both with Democrat majorities. The Dems claimed 57 senators and there were 2 Independents. The House was 257 to 178. Legislation was Obama’s to have. Obama spend his political gain to pass the Affordable are Act (ObamaCare) without one Republican vote; a complete partisan hack job.
In 2010, the Republicans narrowed the Dem majority of the Senate to one vote, and two Independents who normally voted with Dems. The House went Republican. Obama had lost his mandate; the people were speaking.
In 2012, Obama was reelected. Both Houses held – Senate = Dems, House = Repubs.
In 2014, Republicans retained the House and took the Senate; Obama’s good will was played out, the American people were moving away from his rhetoric, growing tired of his BS. The 2016 Trump victory was proof that Americans were moving away from the anti-American sentiment of the Obama-Hillary days.
In 2016, prior to the presidential election, Justice Antonin Scalia passed away opening up a SCOTUS vacancy; Obama had already filled two SCOTUS seats with liberals. Obama nominated who he thought was moderate enough to squeak through a Republican-controlled Senate. Mitch McConnell was having none of it and refused to bring the candidate to the floor.
The rationale for such a move was that in an election year, Mitch was passing the vote to the people; their new president would pick the nominee. Democrats howled.
In 2018, the House went Democrat but the Republicans retained the Senate This represents the will of the people. The House of Reps is responsible for legislation, the Senate presides over appointments
Facts from 2016:
1. Obama was a lame duck president with diminishing authority.
2. The Senate, installed by the people, had turned Republican.
3. It is the Constitutional mandate that the Senate advise the president on, and confirm or reject, SCOTUS candidates. There is no other requirement laid on the Senate.
4. There are two parts of a successful seating of a SCOTUS:
a. A presidential nomination
b. A Senate confirmation
The president had lost his mandate.
Facts from 2020:
1. Donald Trump ran on restoring the courts to sanity and is doing just that.
2. Donald Trump is an incumbent running for a second term.
3. The Republican Senate, installed by the people, was of a different political persuasion from President Obama but is of the same mind as President Trump.
4. The final word, on SCOTUS appointees, rests with the Senate – many of us know that and support President Trump and Mitch McConnell.
Nominating and installing a SCOTUS nominee rests with the President and the Senate. The people, ultimately, elect the president. In a swing year, there is usually some backlash against the ruling majority. In 2018, that affected the House; the Senate, however, was retained by the people. The president nominates, the Senate advises and consents or rejects.
Fairness in politics, especially when referring to a party that has only one agenda, has nothing to do with it. Bi-partisanship is a myth, politics is always partisan.
In the end, the people are not charged with the appointment of cabinet members of judicial appointees, that is the charge of the Senate. Mitch McConnell is correct; the Republicans were given and retain the final say on SCOTUS appointees.
LET.THE.GAMES.BEGIN!
Change My Mind! 