Did McConnell stop Obama from appointing judges? Why

[dewsgirl]

we're there so many openings? Obama is practically perfect in my eyes, but this is something I frequently ponder.

[Flaleftist]

1. Yes. Because he wanted right-wing judges and he could.

[dewsgirl]

5. I figured that was likely it. I hope since many are unqualified,

something will be done, after this nightmare is over.

[hlthe2b]

8. They are appointed for life, so there is virtually nothing to be done.

Impeachment for judges can occur, but it is a very steep bar and occurs rarely. Further, it would have to be for cause occurring since they were advanced to the court.

[fescuerescue]

16. Won't be till for another 30 years

The people appointed are here to stay.

[leftieNanner]

2. Oh yes!

That's why Harry Reid had to get rid of the judicial filibuster. Mitch was blocking virtually every nominee.

[shraby]

3. He wouldn't hold hearings to confirm them.

Reid finally had to make a deal of some sort to get a bunch through.

[AncientGeezer]

10. He didn't make a deal....he went nuke.

Made lower court nominees a simple majority confirmation....then friggin' turtle said let's make that a SCOTUS rule also... the minute dumpster nominated a SCOTUS justice.

[madaboutharry]

4. McConnell stonewalled holding hearings

for Obama’s nominees. He was purposely running out the clock and kept judgeships vacant so they could be filled by a republican president. It was a disgrace.

[dewsgirl]

6. Devastating, I hope when the dems take back the Senate

they will not play nice. None of this when they go low, we go high crap. Look where that has got us.

[AncientGeezer]

15. We did just THAT...Senator Reid as Majority ldr. pulled the nuke trigger for judicial nominees

and got a crap ton confirmed.
Then turtle pulled the same crap for SCOTUS nominees once dumpster won.

[dewsgirl]

17. I had no idea. Thank you.

[AncientGeezer]

12. Except Seator Reid played the Nuke card..He got a crapton of Pres. Obama's judges confirmed.

Turtle was Sen.Leader for the last 2 of Pres Obama's 8yrs....

[bigbrother05]

7. Obama nominated, McConnell refused to confirm, ie Garland

He delayed or outright refused to hold hearings for many.

With the current admin, people rated unqualified are rammed through.

[trueblue2007]

11. I AM REMEMBER THIS and crying. I feel deep grief over what EVIL McConnell has done to our country.

He is of the Devil.

[dewsgirl]

14. I remember this. I just wasn't that involved in politics then.

[polichick]

9. The American people really dropped the ball...

McConnell shouldn’t be able to leave his house without being cursed out and ridiculed.

(Democratic leaders also dropped the ball - they should have called for action in loud, bold terms.)

[StarfishSaver]

29. Because "calling for action in bold terms" has proven enormously effective against McConnell

[polichick]

33. It doesn't help that Dem leaders are so accepting of McConnell's Senate perversions...

This man should be held accountable - but Dem leaders don’t actually lead on this issue.

[StarfishSaver]

34. What exactly do you propose they do that will "hold him accountable"?

[polichick]

35. For many years, Dems have rolled over when RepubliCONs grab for power...

...when McConnell stole a SC seat, when Kerry and Gore had elections stolen from them, etc., etc.

Dems bring slingshots to gunfights, while we lose more and more of our democracy.

Dem leaders can make people aware of what RepubliCONs are doing, and inspire them to fight, rather than roll over. In the cases mentioned above, activists wanted to fight and leaders asked them to stand down - that’s how we got here.

[StarfishSaver]

36. How should they "make people aware of what RepubliCONs are doing, and inspire them to fight"?

You already seen to know what the GOP is doing, so who else are they supposed to be communicating this information to and how exactly do you suggest they do it?

[polichick]

37. How about treating these things as emergencies...

rather than acting like business-as-usual and taking scheduled breaks?

[StarfishSaver]

38. That's not an answer to my question

You seem very certain they're doing it all wrong but seem unable to articulate what they're actually supposed to do differently.

That's not an uncommon phenomenon around here.

[polichick]

39. Read more carefully - purposely not understanding is also common here.

[wiggs]

13. McConnell knew delay would result in gop nominating judges, not Hillary. IMHO. nt

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

18. Don't Blame Harry Reid

McConnell and the repugs were using stall tactics to block all of Obama's nominees at all levels.

Reid realized that the repugs would probably win control of the Senate in 2014. That would mean that Obama wouldn't get any judges confirmed at all for the last four years of his presidency. This would leave a huge number of vacancies for the next president to fill.

So Reid changed the rules in order to get as many judges confirmed as he could in the short time remaining before the repugs gained control in 2014. If he hadn't done so, things would be far worse now even than they are.

[AncientGeezer]

19. R's didn't take control until Jan 2015...

2 yrs of POTUS Obama's 2 terms....not 4

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

20. That's true but

That's why Reid changed the rules and rushed to fill as many vacancies as he could before the repugs took control. If he hadn't done so, it would have been the last four years of Obama's presidency.

In fact that's what I said -- it wasn't the last four years but it would have been if Reid hadn't done what he did.

[AncientGeezer]

21. What???

Senator Reid changed the rules in 2013.....the r's didn't take the Senate until Jan'15......your math doesn't work.

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

22. Please stop mis-representing what I said.

The repugs were in control for the last TWO Years. That's what I said in both of my posts.

So please stop mis-representing what I said.

[AncientGeezer]

23. No you didn't.....this is EXACTLY what you said...and I quote..

"Reid realized that the repugs would probably win control of the Senate in 2014. That would mean that Obama wouldn't get any judges confirmed at all for the last four years of his presidency."

I can read that....doesn't say last TWO years...it says, and I quote You... "..last four years of his presidency."

Edit to add.....the r's didn't take over the Senate until 2015....you typed.."..before the repugs gained control in 2014."

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

24. You're still mis-representing what I said

For that reason I'm not going to waste any more of my time on you. Goodbye

[AncientGeezer]

25. I can't mis represent you....I QUOTED you... word for word

That's on you.....maybe delete the post I'm quoting you from....before I c&p it for everyone to see.

Too late..I just did....

Tennessee Hillbilly (160 posts)
18. Don't Blame Harry Reid

McConnell and the repugs were using stall tactics to block all of Obama's nominees at all levels.

Reid realized that the repugs would probably win control of the Senate in 2014. That would mean that Obama wouldn't get any judges confirmed at all for the last four years of his presidency. This would leave a huge number of vacancies for the next president to fill.

So Reid changed the rules in order to get as many judges confirmed as he could in the short time remaining before the repugs gained control in 2014. If he hadn't done so, things would be far worse now even than they are.

[Kurt V.]

28. calm down :)

[Kurt V.]

26. exactly right. thank you.

[jberryhill]

27. Do you remember Merrick Garland?

Aside from the many, many other nominations that were helped up, surely you recall MConnell’s outright refusal to advance a Supreme Court nomination.

People like to complain that things move too slowly in the federal courts.

The fact is, the courts are enormously backed up, underfunded, and understaffed, and have been that way for a long, long time.

[Skittles]

30. he was able to stop Obama from appointing a SUPREME COURT JUDGE

I imagine regular judges were just as easy.

[budkin]

31. Yes

And it’s worked out splendidly for him.

[Hekate]

32. Yes, McConnell did. He has the majority in the Senate, so he can. Also, he is evil, so he will. nt