It’s sad because it’s true, but it was also inevitable, considering Justice Antonin Scalia’s reputation as a polarizing conservative figure and the nation currently fighting a battle to pick the next president.
In his little remaining time left in the White House, will President Obama manage to nominate a justice who will meet with the approval of the GOP-dominated Senate? Or will the next president be the one to make the nomination? Hillary Clinton, for example, has said she’d consider appointing President Obama to the Supreme Court once she’s president.
It didn’t take long for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to declare that the next president should appoint the new justice, while Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wants to see a nominee put up as soon as possible.
First, RIP to Scalia. He was the greatest SCOTUS Justice of our time. The awful people cheering his death speak volumes about his life.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) February 13, 2016
2) No, the Senate should not confirm a SCOTUS pick during an election year. Next POTUS should pick, making this election even more vital.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) February 13, 2016
The death of Justice #Scalia would be tragedy under any circumstances. It's even more so given the moment's cultural and political chaos.
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) February 13, 2016
#GOP debate suddenly takes on real significance. Choose wisely, America.
— Michael Walsh (@dkahanerules) February 13, 2016
President Bernie’s nominee will be even further left than Obama’s
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) February 13, 2016
@allahpundit President Bernie's nominee will be Obama.
— Surly Temple (@BrettDDaigle) February 13, 2016
@allahpundit and the GOP will approve clapping like seals
— Loren (@LorenSethC) February 13, 2016
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What if Republicans manage to delay nomination and Bernie Sanders gets elected and appoints the first gay Muslim socialist justice?
— Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) February 13, 2016
"I nominate this potato." https://t.co/dZ37e4rylT
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) February 13, 2016
NOOO!
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) February 13, 2016
Flashback: Donald Trump would nominate his sister, a pro-abortion extremist judge, to the Supreme Court https://t.co/YYNR95cEmv
— Patrick Ruffini (@PatrickRuffini) February 13, 2016
Gonna be hilarious when the GOP blocks Obama's #SCOTUS nominee, and Hillary turns around and nominates Obama with her first act as President
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) February 13, 2016
Time for Cruz to withdraw and endorse whoever promises to put him on SCOTUS?
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) February 13, 2016
Who'll be the first to demand that senate not confirm a Justice until after a new president is sworn in?
— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) February 13, 2016
Me, and happily. No good reason for the Senate to approve justices who don’t hew to the law. https://t.co/fVpRk5nhuN
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) February 13, 2016
It’s so odd that people think it’s undemocratic to ignore what the president wants but not undemocratic to ignore what the Senate wants.
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) February 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/amandacarpenter/status/698643153872691201
https://twitter.com/ishapiro/status/698643922483027968
For those asking, yes the Supreme Court can (and not irregularly does) hear cases with only eight justices sitting.
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) February 13, 2016
HARRY REID: "The President can and should send the Senate a nominee right away."
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) February 13, 2016
Senate leader Mitch McConnell suggests that the nation will be waiting a few months until a new justice is appointed.
WASHINGTON (AP) – GOP Senate Leader McConnell says Supreme Court vacancy should not be filled until there is a new president
— Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) February 13, 2016
McConnell: The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. #Scalia #Scalia
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 13, 2016
The McConnell statement serves notice on Pres Obama not to bother to nominate a successor to Justice Scalia during rest of his term.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 13, 2016
Too true:
1st qualification for next justice is willingness to withstand what will be the most wrenching confirmation experience since C. Thomas.
— Charles Lane (@ChuckLane1) February 13, 2016
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