Obama's Supreme Court Pick
The past several days of news have all been a-buzz with Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the newest Justice for the US Supreme Court bench. While she is certain to have liberal (and probably even activist) leanings, there have been a number of statements by her that have raised a few eyebrows. I am not going to deal with these statements as many others have already made solid arguments for why she is unfit for the court. My point is simply to touch on what I believe the GOP Senators should do in response to this nomination.
There has been some talk by some in the GOP of filibustering the nomination, especially since that is what the Democrats did to many of Bush's nominees. I do not believe this is the proper way of going about it. First off, filibustering a nominee breaks previous precedent. Yes, the Democrats filibustered many of Bush's judges, but they were breaking a precedent that had never been broken before. And to continue breaking that precedent is trying to make a right out of two wrongs. The proper approach to this is one that OPPOSES the nomination, but still permits the traditional up-or-down vote before the entire Senate.
If we are going to be true conservatives...that is we play by the rules established by the Constitution and by precedent given to us by those who laid down the Constitution, we are going to have to find a new way to deal with this. After all, we want to continue to be examples of what we preach and filibustering will make us hypocrites.
Another reason we don't want to filibuster is that it simply will do us no good. Sooner or later, Obama will get his nominee through....we simply do not have the votes to stop it and it would be an absolute waste of political capital to simply delay the inevitable.
So, what do I suggest? First off, allow the nominee to get through committee. That is, ask her various questions about her judicial philosophy to get an idea of how she views the law and the Constitution. Second, during debate before the FULL Senate, lay out your reasons why you oppose this nomination. Third, vote against the nomination.
No, this does not stop her from going to the court, but then again there are not the votes to stop it from happening. However, by expressing your disagreement and voting against it you are at least putting yourself on the record as a strong voice of opposition.
This as well as speaking out consistently on several other issues will allow the GOP to build up strong arguments for use in the upcoming 2010 elections.
No, there's not much that can be done to stop Obama right now, but by being a voice of true opposition, you leave the entire responsibility for things with him.
There has been some talk by some in the GOP of filibustering the nomination, especially since that is what the Democrats did to many of Bush's nominees. I do not believe this is the proper way of going about it. First off, filibustering a nominee breaks previous precedent. Yes, the Democrats filibustered many of Bush's judges, but they were breaking a precedent that had never been broken before. And to continue breaking that precedent is trying to make a right out of two wrongs. The proper approach to this is one that OPPOSES the nomination, but still permits the traditional up-or-down vote before the entire Senate.
If we are going to be true conservatives...that is we play by the rules established by the Constitution and by precedent given to us by those who laid down the Constitution, we are going to have to find a new way to deal with this. After all, we want to continue to be examples of what we preach and filibustering will make us hypocrites.
Another reason we don't want to filibuster is that it simply will do us no good. Sooner or later, Obama will get his nominee through....we simply do not have the votes to stop it and it would be an absolute waste of political capital to simply delay the inevitable.
So, what do I suggest? First off, allow the nominee to get through committee. That is, ask her various questions about her judicial philosophy to get an idea of how she views the law and the Constitution. Second, during debate before the FULL Senate, lay out your reasons why you oppose this nomination. Third, vote against the nomination.
No, this does not stop her from going to the court, but then again there are not the votes to stop it from happening. However, by expressing your disagreement and voting against it you are at least putting yourself on the record as a strong voice of opposition.
This as well as speaking out consistently on several other issues will allow the GOP to build up strong arguments for use in the upcoming 2010 elections.
No, there's not much that can be done to stop Obama right now, but by being a voice of true opposition, you leave the entire responsibility for things with him.
posted by Ryan Smith at 3:30 PM
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