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Collins breaks ranks with Republican leaders over Supreme Court nominee

Hate to break it to you but like almost everyone in Washington has broken their oath to the Constitution.

i'm well aware, and it's one reason i never vote for incumbents
 
i'm well aware, and it's one reason i never vote for incumbents

Unfortunately, there are LOTS of people who do vote for incumbents...and who do not care that they have "broken their oaths"...as long as they have broken them in a way that fits the voters agenda.

And those people are the ones who keep their politicians in office gaining greater and greater power with seniority in the congress!
 
That is one of the things they can do...have a hearing and a vote.

They also can say, "No...I'm gonna take my ball and go home."

If they do...there is nothing anyone can do about it. They set their own rules.

Do you honestly think that over half the US Senate should be removed from office...or that there is any chance that will happen except by dint of the voting public?

I hope they do take their ball and go home with it.

We'll survive with just 8 Justices on the court until after the election.

And I would hope the American public would punish the Republican majority Senate for doing something like that.

In there haste the GOP Senate has put themselves into a corner, and the Dems hold the cards, so stupid in an election year.
 
Thank you, that was my whole point. Constitutionally, they HAVE to hold hearings. But they don't have to approve the nominee if they don't want to.

Yup they absolutely don't have to appoint any of Obama's picks and they can drag it out forever if they want (at their own peril). The Constitution clearly states that Obama has to nominate someone. Now if the Republicans want to look really stupid, they can turn away, give Obama the finger, and we'll all be no better off. Looks like that's the path they've chosen. VERY disappointing IMO.
 
Unfortunately, there are LOTS of people who do vote for incumbents...and who do not care that they have "broken their oaths"...as long as they have broken them in a way that fits the voters agenda.

And those people are the ones who keep their politicians in office gaining greater and greater power with seniority in the congress!

i also hold them collectively responsible for their failures to govern. Serving on the senate for a half century like mccain is not a rite of passage. I don't excuse their failures due to political wrangling either. If they don't work together for the good of the country - not just wyoming or w/e the **** - i don't care if there's 59 dems (plus lieberman) like in 2009, or a majority of republicans now, they're all out of there as far as i'm concerned. That is the only thing that will make them work together, across party lines

this **** about "we can't even vote on a supreme court replacement because the south carolina republican primary voters, all 2000 of them, say **** the black arab commie in the white house" is proof positive we need an overhaul
 
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She's always been pretty moderate. I like her a lot. This isn't the first time she's broken ranks and won't be the last. I'm not sure what this proves, though. Yes, Obama should have a chance to appoint someone. It's his job and his Constitutional duty. It was always the President's job, even when Obama and current-VP Biden were Senators beating the drum against Bush doing the same thing. This is politics and you almost always have varying opinions in a party. Just like through the years, it sounds good to say things like the Republicans are saying now. I'm sure it sounded good to the far left when Democrats said it too. Just another day in politics.

Did the democrats refuse to hold hearings, regardless of the fact that bush had not nominated anyone yet?
 
I know the answer, and the answer is no, the democrats did not pull the same stunt that the republicans are doing right now.

I know the answer as well. I of course never said that the Democrats refused to hold hearings. I of course also am in this thread arguing that the Republicans are acting foolishly and they should hold hearings on whomever Obama nominates. But just ignore all of that in the hopes that you can drag me into the partisan crap. Right?
 
I know the answer as well. I of course never said that the Democrats refused to hold hearings. I of course also am in this thread arguing that the Republicans are acting foolishly and they should hold hearings on whomever Obama nominates. But just ignore all of that in the hopes that you can drag me into the partisan crap. Right?

Sorry, I misread the intent of your previous post.
 
Yup they absolutely don't have to appoint any of Obama's picks and they can drag it out forever if they want (at their own peril). The Constitution clearly states that Obama has to nominate someone. Now if the Republicans want to look really stupid, they can turn away, give Obama the finger, and we'll all be no better off. Looks like that's the path they've chosen. VERY disappointing IMO.

The danger here is that, since it looks like the Democrats will control both the Presidency and the Senate next year, is that they will return the favor by invoking the nuclear option, and pick far left judges. By negotiating now, Republicans can insure that at least moderates will be appointed. Otherwise, their own stupidity is going to turn SCOTUS way to the left for a generation.
 
I know the answer, and the answer is no, the democrats did not pull the same stunt that the republicans are doing right now.

Biden did propose that, but he was ignored by the rank and file, and Democrats did hold hearings.
 
This. There is no time limit on "advise an consent" which is the Constitutional wording.

Absolutely NO TIME LIMIT.

Which is why I wonder why they would make such a big thing out of this...rather than simply use the fact that there is no time limit...and the fact that they can simply disapprove of the nominee...

...rather than what they are doing.

It makes no sense to me.
 
Absolutely NO TIME LIMIT.

Which is why I wonder why they would make such a big thing out of this...rather than simply use the fact that there is no time limit...and the fact that they can simply disapprove of the nominee...

...rather than what they are doing.

It makes no sense to me.

IMO, as I said earlier. They don't want to be seen talking to, or compromising with Obama even a little bit. In parts of the country this tactic by the GOP has worked very well. Treat Obama as someone who's not even the POTUS. The GOP Ignores him, they belittle him on everything. Why just vote down and disapprove of an Obama SC nominee when the GOP can take it a step further and not even discuss it, they won't even hold hearings. Much of the GOP base will cheer this.

It's worked very well for the GOP over the last 7 years. The GOP is winning the PR war, easily. Since Day 1 they've refused to deal with or work with Obama. But most Cons and Republicans believe it's Obama's fault that there is no cooperation in DC. So why would the GOP change tactics now?
 
McConnell said we're not going to approve of any of Obama's picks. That wasn't enough.

Now they won't even hold hearings? That's the GOP's way of saying we don't even have a POTUS. The GOP is going to govern from Congress. In the GOP's eyes Obama isn't even a lame duck, he doesn't even exist.

Again, with much of the Republican base that'll work, but with the moderates and Indy's? IDK, we'll find out in November.
 
Olympia Snowe is a good lady as well. She was never really appreciated outside of New England because of her moderate views.

Yes she is--love the Lady.
Maine has a long history of moderate Senators on both sides--Muskie, Cohen, and Mitchell come to mind--with A. King right now.
My Air Force Dad was born in Maine in the 1920s and went Navy on his 17th birthday off Saipan.
A very conservative French-Catholic family, yet still DEM in the 1970s.

My wife and I go back every other year or so but most of my Aunts and Uncles are gone now.
Last summer in Bar Harbor, I got talked into Halibut over Haddock and loved it.
As much as we love the ocean, the real magic of Maine is the fresh-water systems, the state parks, and all the outdoor activities.
My wife especially loves Vermont also, but I lean to New Hampshire as the other great NE state to vacation in.

As an Air Force brat through 8th grade, I hope you know how much I appreciate your SERVICE and I wish you well in retirement.
Dad had a most difficult time adjusting to civilian life and I'm struggling with it also, after teaching Chem/Physics.
I'd also like to share my thanks to the VA and Tri-Care-For-Life--it still takes care of Mom .
 
Yes she is--love the Lady.
Maine has a long history of moderate Senators on both sides--Muskie, Cohen, and Mitchell come to mind--with A. King right now.
My Air Force Dad was born in Maine in the 1920s and went Navy on his 17th birthday off Saipan.
A very conservative French-Catholic family, yet still DEM in the 1970s.

My wife and I go back every other year or so but most of my Aunts and Uncles are gone now.
Last summer in Bar Harbor, I got talked into Halibut over Haddock and loved it.
As much as we love the ocean, the real magic of Maine is the fresh-water systems, the state parks, and all the outdoor activities.
My wife especially loves Vermont also, but I lean to New Hampshire as the other great NE state to vacation in.

As an Air Force brat through 8th grade, I hope you know how much I appreciate your SERVICE and I wish you well in retirement.
Dad had a most difficult time adjusting to civilian life and I'm struggling with it also, after teaching Chem/Physics.
I'd also like to share my thanks to the VA and Tri-Care-For-Life--it still takes care of Mom .

My youth was divided up between Boston and Rumford Maine. I met Muskie many times, and he was always pretty cool for a old fart........ ( hey..I was 15-16) ;) My wife's grandfather broke Muskies nose in a fight as kids, and they remained friends throughout their lives.

Yes...Maine has had some very level headed senators

All my brothers and sisters are still back in Maine. I was the adventurous one, and took off to see the world. I miss the place, but I will never leave Virginia Beach.
 
If that's the way you want to play it, then don't bitch if the Democrats decide to be ruthless too if they flip the Senate this year, invoke the nuclear option, and appoint far left judges.

Dude. They already did that.

Politics is a two way street. You reap what you sow. Republicans are playing with fire now.

Welcome to our argument. President Pen and Phone and Nuclear Option Harry have no leg to stand on when they bitch that Republicans might finally play hardball back.
 
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