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[Vestal]

Opening this floodgate is bigger than anything he's done so far.

The context of doing this is unprecedented.

If they get rid of the entire fillibuster it would neuter a Senators power in Washington. Doing it for a SCOTUS nominee basically lets the cat out of the bag, and once it is out its over, you really can't put the genie back in the bottle.

 

[Netherscourge]

Many senate Democrats are up for re-election in 2018. Will being obstructionist hurt their chances of winning again? Hard to tell.

Hasn't hurt Republicans.

You have to uphold your base, otherwise you have no base.

 

[Muppet of a Man]

This is my thinking. Save the filibuster and grandstanding for the true nut job that will surely be nominated should any other judge retire/pass away.

It doesn't work like that. They will just remove the filibuster at that moment and proceed.

 

[Katcrawler]

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

 

[marrec]

If they get rid of the entire fillibuster it would neuter a Senators power in Washington. Doing it for a SCOTUS nominee basically lets the cat out of the bag, and once it is out its over, you really can't put the genie back in the bottle.

This is another good point. Senator's enjoy the power that they have compared to the House of Representatives. If you remove the filibuster then you've stripped the Senate of one of it's more important tools to reign in rogue Representatives. Even Paul Ryan is sweating right now.

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

That was on lower court nominees, not SCOTUS.

 

[Fenderputty]

Don't fall for any threat. They are already going nuclear.

I actually suspect McConnel would like to keep the filibuster for strategic reasons if he can. Say the eGOP realizes a bill is too extreme. They can let Dems filibuster saving their asses from having to do the political dirty work and paint the Dems as obstructionists at the same time. If they nuke the filibuster they'll be forced to deal with tough political decisions or take full blame for what they pass

 

[Jarmel]

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

Are you stupid? They did it for cabinet nominees, not something like a SC nominee. Hell even most policies still had the filibuster option in place.

 

[Muppet of a Man]

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

Your post is utter bullshit. They did this as a last ditch effort after 8 years of Republican obstruction and presenting qualified, moderate candidates.
And it's not even for SCOTUS and anything outside lower level appointees.

 

[slit]

The only two I can think that will definitely allow the pick are Manchin and Heidtkamp, who are both in deeply red states. What are the 6 other possible flips?

I said I think there are seven possibilities. Durbin has already said he vote to allow a vote. King, Tester, McCaskill, Donnelly are the others I had in mind. That only leaves one more.

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Hey, knowing them, they'll probably still perform the vote while someone is filibustering and pretend it isn't happening.

Who's to say, given what's been going on, that they'll respect any rule they don't like?

 

[Nafai1123]

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

You realize they did this due to an completely obstructionist GOP right? Not sure how that makes Dems hypocrites. From your own article.

Democrats said the attempted filibusters of Chuck Hagel during his confirmation hearing to become defense secretary, a first for any nominee to lead the Pentagon — as well as a blockade of picks to head the National Labor Relations Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — exceeded anything Democrats did when they were in the minority. In addition, Democrats charged that Republicans didn’t even have substantive objections to the D.C. Circuit nominees they filibustered.

After the vote, Obama told reporters at the White House that Republicans had turned nomination fights into a “reckless and relentless tool” to grind the gears of government to a halt and noted that “neither party has been blameless for these tactics.” However, he said, “today’s pattern of obstruction . . . just isn’t normal; it’s not what our founders envisioned.”

 

[JHoNNy1OoO]

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

Junior Member

1 Post(this one), Creation Date after the Election (11/09/16)

You can't make this shit up.

 

[Fenderputty]

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

Lol joke post?

 

[VivaciousSoul]

Was the filibuster really to protect minority from the majority? I'm starting to doubt it if the majority could just take it away whenever it wanted to.

 

[LegendofJoe]

It doesn't work like that. They will just remove the filibuster at that moment and proceed.

I know, they'll use it as soon as Dems block someone they really want. The entire GOP is behind this guy, if they filibuster McConnell will get rid of it. It honestly doesn't matter what they do. The goal right now needs to be to get the base out to vote. If fighting this guy will accomplish that then maybe I'm wrong and they should just go ahead and use the filibuster.

 

[marrec]

You realize they did this due to an completely obstructionist GOP right? Not sure how that makes Dems hypocrites.

It doesn't really matter if it was due to obstructionism if that's exactly what liberals are calling for right now.

What does matter is that it wasn't for SCOTUS nominees. That's the big difference.

Was the filibuster really to protect minority from the majority? I'm starting to doubt it if the majority could just take it away whenever it wanted to.

The filibuster is useful for more than just balancing majority/minority.

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Junior Member

1 Post(this one), Creation Date after the Election (11/09/16)

You can't make this shit up.

Wow, one day after election and Trump had already given someone a job. Niiiiiiiiiiice

 

[jiiikoo]

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

Did you just go Sean Spicer?

 

[Man Called Aerodynamics]

The best part is that this obstruction precedent was set by the Republicans so any charges of obstructionism can just be shrugged off. The voters showed that there is zero political fallout from it anyway.

As far as I'm concerned the political fallout will come from NOT being obstructionist.

I am calling my Democratic senator every day to let them know that I consider this nomination stolen, and no nominee other than Merrick Garland to be legitimate. If they want my continued support I expect them to do everything possible to prevent ANY Trump nominee from getting onto the court.

We should all be demanding that our representatives be every bit as obstructionist as the Republicans were for the last eight years.

 

[Muppet of a Man]

Oh how quickly Liberal GAF forgets about the Democrats doing this exact thing for Obama, come on GAF, don't be hypocrites.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...65cfe8-52b6-11e3-9fe0-fd2ca728e67c_story.html

You are an astroturfing fuck all. Registration date day after the election with 1 post since then. Get the fuck out of here.

This place is too educated for your bullshit. Go back to brainwashing the side you've been successful on controlling with fake news.

 

[Jobbs]

I actually suspect McConnel would like to keep the filibuster for strategic reasons if he can. Say the eGOP realizes a bill is too extreme. They can let Dems filibuster saving their asses from having to do the political dirty work and paint the Dems as obstructionists at the same time. If they nuke the filibuster they'll be forced to deal with tough political decisions or take full blame for what they pass

Sounds about right.

In any case, with it gone, we'd be in a whole new world. I'm not even sure what it'd look like. I'm just so used to the senate being unable to do anything.

 

[Fenderputty]

Was the filibuster really to protect minority from the majority? I'm starting to doubt it if the majority could just take it away whenever it wanted to.

Majorities don't last forever

 

[BronsonLee]

Was the filibuster really to protect minority from the majority? I'm starting to doubt it if the majority could just take it away whenever it wanted to.

Most people in power don't dare touch it because they know this thing goes in cycles

 

[SURGEdude]

If the GOP put someone half reasonable (in the vein of Roberts or Kennedy), they could get 60 easily, but they want the next Scalia, which is going to be a major problem for democrats, as it should be.

Honestly they should draft articles of impeachment and introduce them again and again and again like the right did with the ACA repeal.

The world and most of this country wants him gone. It won't pass, but it'll look fucking great in the mid-terms. I think at this point it's pretty clear the democrats will run on an impeach Trump and stop President Pence angle.

If they get rid of the entire fillibuster it would neuter a Senators power in Washington. Doing it for a SCOTUS nominee basically lets the cat out of the bag, and once it is out its over, you really can't put the genie back in the bottle.

And that's exactly why it's unprecedented. Especially in light of the context.

 

[Kill Your Masters]

Most people in power don't dare touch it because they know this thing goes in cycles

Bannon doesn't care he just wants to see everything coming crashing down.

 

[Iksenpets]

I mean, yeah. Do it. Dems should hold the line and make them do it. Filibuster can't survive in a polarized America, so it may as well die in a fight where Dems have as much moral high ground as they're going to.

 

[McGruber21]

I think the replies to this thread sum up the problem with our politics today. Apathy.

1. Most of you think he is talking about nuclear bombs

2. And you still don't seem very concerned lol

 

[Fenderputty]

Sounds about right.

In any case, with it gone, we'd be in a whole new world. I'm not even sure what it'd look like. I'm just so used to the senate being unable to do anything.

Our new world would have Medicare vouchers and privatized SS lol

 

[Beartruck]

I said I think there are seven possibilities. Durbin has already said he vote to allow a vote. King, Tester, McCaskill, Donnelly are the others I had in mind. That only leaves one more.

Durbin is from illinois, a hard blue state. He has 0 reason to play ball, unless he wants to get primaried. Think I might call up his office and let him know that.

 

[Ithil]

Was the filibuster really to protect minority from the majority? I'm starting to doubt it if the majority could just take it away whenever it wanted to.

The thing is, if you do that as the majority, you can expect to have it done right back to you when you become the minority eventually.

 

[Vestal]

I think the replies to this thread sum up the problem with our politics today. Apathy.

1. Most of you think he is talking about nuclear bombs

2. And you still don't seem very concerned lol

What??

 

[TheOfficeMut]

I think the replies to this thread sum up the problem with our politics today. Apathy.

1. Most of you think he is talking about nuclear bombs

2. And you still don't seem very concerned lol

Most of us do not think he is talking about nuclear weapons. We are joking about that.

 

[BronsonLee]

Bannon doesn't care he just wants to see everything coming crashing down.

Yeah this probably ends with his head on a pike tbh

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Yeah this probably ends with his head on a pike tbh

Whenever I see Bannon's face I always see this guy from Jeepers Creepers:

Striking resemblance if you ask me.

 

[studyguy]

Filibuster is inevitable now.
Either they do it now, block one and call his bluff or it gets nuked anyway and makes the it all moot.

RBG needs to go into cryogenic freeze either way to keep her fresh for a few years longer.

 

[HStallion]

I think the replies to this thread sum up the problem with our politics today. Apathy.

1. Most of you think he is talking about nuclear bombs

2. And you still don't seem very concerned lol

I don't think anyone is serious about the nuclear bombs, like at all. Its just a facetious easy to make remark about the loaded wording Trump is using.

 

[Man Called Aerodynamics]

Think I might call up his office and let him know that.

Please do. Every day.

 

[Hickbilly Deluxe]

Enough 'safe' demeocrats will vote for him to get the nod. Don't worry about that.

 

[Veritigo_X]

I think the replies to this thread sum up the problem with our politics today. Apathy.

1. Most of you think he is talking about nuclear bombs

2. And you still don't seem very concerned lol

I can't speak for others, but I did not actually think that Trump would use nuclear weapons on the senate over a SCOTUS nomination. It was a joke.

Enough 'safe' demeocrats will vote for him to get the nod. Don't worry about that.

I've only recalled the "dem" from WV saying he would confirm. Have you heard others say this too? Republicans need more than one.

Edit: Saw the post listing some of them above... concerning.

 

[pompidu]

Filibuster is inevitable now.
Either they do it now, block one and call his bluff or it gets nuked anyway and makes the it all moot.

Yep. It's going away either way, might as well go down swinging.

 

[nature boy]

Filibuster is inevitable now.
Either they do it now, block one and call his bluff or it gets nuked anyway and makes the it all moot.

Problem is the next nominee might shift the direction of the court, so if they nuke now the next one will only require 50.

 

[slit]

Durbin is from illinois, a hard blue state. He has 0 reason to play ball, unless he wants to get primaried. Think I might call up his office and let him know that.

You better.

 

[BackLogJoe]

I'm still confused.

Why can't this scenario happen?

Monday - Senate Republicans nuke the filibuster

Tuesday - Senate Republicans confirm Trump's SCOTUS pick.

Wednesday - Senate Republicans vote filibuster back into place.

 

[Stop It]

Great, the GOP filibuster Merrick Garland for 10 months and the moment they get the White House they threaten to get rid of it?

Well then. If that's how they want to play things, the Democrat party need to win back the Senate bigly (sorry) in 2018 and block everything.

 

[RMI]

this should be interesting, a test of how deep the GOP is ready to let Trump go. I suspect it'll be balls deep.

My real concern lately is about what happens in 4 years. Only tangentially related to this thread, but since some people here are optimistic about the pendulum swinging back in 2 or 4 years, what makes you think that Trump will give up power if he loses in 2020? He is on record stating that he would contest 2016 if he lost, and it was kind of a joke because he wasn't the fucking president then. What changes in 2020?

I think the replies to this thread sum up the problem with our politics today. Apathy.

1. Most of you think he is talking about nuclear bombs

2. And you still don't seem very concerned lol

nobody thinks this.

 

[Ourobolus]

I'm still confused.

Why can't this scenario happen?

Monday - Senate Republicans nuke the filibuster

Tuesday - Senate Republicans confirm Trump's SCOTUS pick.

Wednesday - Senate Republicans vote filibuster back into place.

They have zero reason to do that final step.

 

[LegendofJoe]

Filibuster is inevitable now.
Either they do it now, block one and call his bluff or it gets nuked anyway and makes the it all moot.

RBG needs to go into cryogenic freeze either way to keep her fresh for a few years longer.

Yeah, hopefully she's seeing the best doctors in the world. Germany in particular does some amazing things in geriatric medicine. Send your best to America Merkel.

 

[marrec]

I'm still confused.

Why can't this scenario happen?

Monday - Senate Republicans nuke the filibuster

Tuesday - Senate Republicans confirm Trump's SCOTUS pick.

Wednesday - Senate Republicans vote filibuster back into place.

Again, this is about precedent.

You can think of the filibuster as an agreed upon cease fire between two parties. If one party breaks that cease fire, the other one won't just shrug and not shoot back.

(Poor analogy I suppose)

 

[BackLogJoe]

They have zero reason to do that final step.

Sure, but people are acting like once the cats out of the bag it can't be put back. They can just put the filibuster back to protect themselves from an extreme bill from the Republican side.

 

[slit]

I'm still confused.

Why can't this scenario happen?

Monday - Senate Republicans nuke the filibuster

Tuesday - Senate Republicans confirm Trump's SCOTUS pick.

Wednesday - Senate Republicans vote filibuster back into place.

They can but the genie is out of the bottle at that point. If/when the Democrats gain back a majority they will never allow a filibuster over a SCOTUS nominee again.