Imagine how much power Manchin and Sinema will have during period after Breyer leaves

[Hugh_Lebowski]

and a new Justice is confirmed.

All it would take is one of them defecting, and then Majority Leader Mitch would just refuse to confirm anyone ... he's already shown he's willing to be that kind of ratfucker ... so we'd have a 6-2 SCOTUS for the next 3 years.

I'm actually kinda nervous about the whole thing, frankly.

Is it possible to get a someone confirmed BEFORE Breyer actually steps down, such that he stays on if something ... untoward ... happens?

[lagomorph777]

1. They are already salivating and sharpening their knives.

[CincyDem]

2. He's not leaving until a successor is confirmed.

"I intend this decision to take effect when the court rises for the summer recess this year (typically late June early July) assuming that by then my successor has been nominated and confirmed."


From his resignation letter.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

3. Okay, but even so ...

They still hold incredible power in this situation (well, every individual Democrat does, they're just the ones most likely to blatantly wield it).

If one or both decides to keep throwing up roadblocks to Biden's nominees, they can perpetuate their power. They both know how much Democrats in general want the seat of the elderly Breyer to be filled by Biden, with a presumably much younger person.

I wouldn't be too surprised if, with every nominee Biden puts up ... one or both decides they just can't countenance that particular choice.

[CincyDem]

6. yeah - I agree with you 1000%. Was just commenting on the 6-2 part.

I think you're right about Manchin/Sinema. Each one is, right now, the most powerful person in the country. Either side will give them whatever they want...Dems to keep 'em (in spite of their issues) and Cons to get 'em.

I suspect they both need an office staffer just to keep track to the offers.

What a shit show...need to get to 53-47 to change the direction...otherwise, the party of do-nothing gets to throw sand in the wheels so we do nothing.

[agingdem]

7. so what are you saying?

Last edited Fri Jan 28, 2022, 05:17 PM - Edit history (1)

refrain from pissing them off until the nominee is confirmed?..or should we be kicking ourselves black and blue for expressing our displeasure with Sinema's chaotic middle school mean girl theatrics, her ridiculous costumes, her selfish nonsensical obstruction of all things Biden, ignoring her constituents, skipping votes in favor of boondoggles and junkets, kissing up to Mitch, and accepting right wing donations?..should we, keep our mouths shut and pray Sinema has an adult moment and votes for the nominee?...and how about Manchin, uber wealthy, riverboat piloting, Maserati driving, fossil fuel loyalist man of the people and his ever shifting rationale for obstructing Biden's agenda..should we have sat silent while he ignored meetings/phone calls with the President of the United States and childishly blamed Biden's aides for hurting his feelings as the reason for gumming up BBB and voting no to a voting rights filibuster carve out?..should we stay mute and hope power hungry Manchin does what he was elected to do and vote for Biden's SCOTUS nominee?... I am so tired of pandering to the Terrible Two as if we were running for president of a our third grade class and had to buy their votes with Apple gift cards...

[we can do it]

4. I'd rather do something constructive with my time.

[Scrivener7]

5. This worries me too.