GOP Obstructionism A Costly Tactic

GOP Obstructionism A Costly Tactic
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., center, is joined at rear by, from right, Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., as they talk to reporters following a closed-door policy meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. McConnell said the Senate will consider legislation to hit North Korea with more stringent sanctions in the wake of Pyongyang’s recent satellite launch and technical advances U.S. intelligence agencies say the reclusive Asian nation is making in its nuclear weapons program. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., center, is joined at rear by, from right, Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., as they talk to reporters following a closed-door policy meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Over the Valentine’s Day weekend, renown conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died. About two hours later, the Republican led Congress declared they would bar anyone who the liberal demon himself, President Barack Obama, would nominate.

About two hours after Scalia’s death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement saying:

“The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.”

This Pavlovian negative reaction to anything Obama may or may not do is nothing new. It’s the story of government policy for the last four years. In my opinion, it only makes the Democrat arguments in these cases stronger when the Majority Leader turns into an upset child who isn’t getting their way and refuses to do anything.

So, gone out the window is the chance for an actual debate about what’s going to be the obviously liberal nomination from Obama. Instead, the GOP have played their hand and all bets are off. The strategy is bold, but nonetheless ridiculous.

Y’know, they could have waited around for Obama to nominate a replacement for Justice Scalia, gone through the confirmation process and several months later just rejected the nominee on ideological grounds. But nope, McConnell had to go full on embargo and refuse anyone, no matter how great they could be.

What bothers me the most about this is among their blind ambition to bar Obama on anything, McConnell and the GOP would rather leave the Supreme Court seat vacant for an entire year than consider ANY appointee.

There are several court decisions pending over the next four months. Cases affecting abortion rights, affirmative action, voting rights, the power of labor unions and President Obama’s health care and immigration policies are all under consideration. Prior to Scalia’s death, it was presumed the conservatives had a chance at winning them all.

Now, the game has changed. The Supreme Court is equally divided among conservatives and liberals. Justice Anthony Kennedy sometimes votes on the liberal side. This also means that many decisions could end up in 4-4 ties, which only preserves the lower court’s decision without setting a national precedent. So progress (or the lack thereof) is limited.

To force a stalemate scenario into the Supreme Court is shameful. Are we really just going to let an entire year go by with a Supreme Court vacancy? I mean damn, what happened to a government that serves the people? As long as the new SCOTUS candidate is qualified, experienced, and fair minded I don’t care who the President nominates.

It’s also not even in McConnell’s power to determine if Obama’s nomination is acceptable. It’s a presidential power, granted by the Constitution.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren retaliated to McConnell and company on Facebook about that very thing.

“Article II Section 2 of the Constitution says the President of the United States nominates justices to the Supreme Court, with the advice and consent of the Senate,” her statement read. “I can’t find a clause that says “…except when there’s a year left in the term of a Democratic President.”

Then she went in for the jugular.

“Senate Republicans took an oath just like Senate Democrats did. Abandoning the duties they swore to uphold would threaten both the Constitution and our democracy itself. It would also prove that all the Republican talk about loving the Constitution is just that — empty talk.”

I can’t help but agree with her on this. When you pride your party in your love of the Constitution, except whenever it isn’t convenient, that makes me wanna rage. How about we find some common ground for just once?

Many Senate motivations can be linked to campaigns and re-elections. This is where I can sympathize, but only because I believe in fairness. Could it be that any moderate Republican who votes in favor of Obama — or in this case, the SCOTUS nominee — runs the risk of losing their seat in Congress in the next election cycle?

I previously wrote “Seriously, GOP. Get your shit together” in a previous draft. While I still think it’s worth saying, I think part of the issue here is bigger than that. It’s their constituency who are just as closed minded and upset by anything the liberal boogeymen do and instantly vote out their Congressmen. I mean, it is a democracy, but man. That’s a rough scenario for moderates and Republicans. So maybe, this was the only move the GOP could make.

Meanwhile, the GOP presidential debates have turned into a wild “Character Defamation Challenge 2k16” game. Ugh.

All this being said, liberals aren’t immune to this kind of obstructionist rhetoric either. But damn, the Republicans are pretty damn loud and stupid about it.

Thanks for reading.

Categories: Commentary