Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79

[Baba Booey]

If the constitution and government give them the power to confirm or deny the nominee, then how are they obstructionist? If their constitutionally-prescribed duty is to confirm or deny a nominee. And they choose to deny, how are they refusing to perform their duty? It's because liberals and people like you expect others to just conform to their point of view and beliefs. Rubber stamping a nominee just because the democrats criticize them would be the definition of not performing their duty.

It's because 10 min after the guy died the Republicans said they won't confirm anyone. They didn't even know who the nominee is and they just said "no" off the bat. That's not using the power they have in the way it was intended.

[Spider-Dan]

It's because 10 min after the guy died the Republicans said they won't confirm anyone. They didn't even know who the nominee is and they just said "no" off the bat.

Well put.

Who the nominee is literally doesn't matter; the Republicans do not intend to allow Obama to replace the vacancy, period.

[Cathal]

Well put.

Who the nominee is literally doesn't matter; the Republicans do not intend to allow Obama to replace the vacancy, period.

They're just acting consistently with everything else related to Obama, so, no surprise.

[Sunstroke]

Who the nominee is literally doesn't matter; the Republicans do not intend to allow Obama to replace the vacancy, period.

When either Clinton or Sanders wins the upcoming Presidential election, I wonder if the GOP will stonewall the appointment for the next 4 years...

[pondwater]

It's because 10 min after the guy died the Republicans said they won't confirm anyone. They didn't even know who the nominee is and they just said "no" off the bat. That's not using the power they have in the way it was intended.

If, and I say if, they don't confirm an Obama nominee, then they are using the power that they were given. How was that power intended to be used? Explain to me in easy layman's terms how they are breaking any rules.

[Spider-Dan]

It is also not "breaking any rules" for them to refuse to show up to work altogether.  There is no part of the Constitution that demands that a Senator or Representative show up for work each day; any member of Congress is perfectly entitled to refuse to vote on anything at all.

[pondwater]

It is also not "breaking any rules" for them to refuse to show up to work altogether.  There is no part of the Constitution that demands that a Senator or Representative show up for work each day; any member of Congress is perfectly entitled to refuse to vote on anything at all.

No rules or laws broken? Well then that sort of make your side of the "obstruction" argument a moot point. You and the other liberals can bitch and moan about it, that's fine. However, if you don't like the rules and laws on the books. Then by all means, make it your personal crusade to change them. In the event that the so called "obstruction" actually happens, the Republicans may pay for it in the elections. However, that is a whole other conversation beyond the scope of this one.

[Baba Booey]

If, and I say if, they don't confirm an Obama nominee, then they are using the power that they were given. How was that power intended to be used? Explain to me in easy layman's terms how they are breaking any rules.

When you say before the process starts and 10 min after the guy dies you won't confirm anyone ever until we get a new president...that is breaking the rules.  And if you want to say well "technically" they haven't broken the rules, the are telling you up front they are about to break it. So they gave off the warning shot.

It's just lack of class and character. Comes off very poorly. And I don't identify with either party, I vote for the best people. But it's a real turn-off to see things like that.

[pondwater]

When you say before the process starts and 10 min after the guy dies you won't confirm anyone ever until we get a new president...that is breaking the rules.  And if you want to say well "technically" they haven't broken the rules, the are telling you up front they are about to break it. So they gave off the warning shot.

It's just lack of class and character. Comes off very poorly. And I don't identify with either party, I vote for the best people. But it's a real turn-off to see things like that.

Yes, lets get technical. Democrats and liberals have a unique talent for gas-lighting, so you have to get technical and set down facts. Now, either they are breaking a rule or they are not. It's pretty black and white. If they are breaking a written rule or law, then you have a valid argument. If they are not, well then it seems to me you just disagree with what they are doing because it doesn't fit the political agenda that you are aligned with.

As far as lack of class and character, haha. They are politicians, 99% of them are scum. The Democrats are no better than Republicans, they pull the same type of shenanigans. I can pretty much guarantee that if the shoe was on the other foot, most of the liberals on this site would be arguing the opposite of what they are now.

[Baba Booey]

Yes, lets get technical. Democrats and liberals have a unique talent for gas-lighting, so you have to get technical and set down facts. Now, either they are breaking a rule or they are not. It's pretty black and white. If they are breaking a written rule or law, then you have a valid argument. If they are not, well then it seems to me you just disagree with what they are doing because it doesn't fit the political agenda that you are aligned with.

As far as lack of class and character, haha. They are politicians, 99% of them are scum. The Democrats are no better than Republicans, they pull the same type of shenanigans. I can pretty much guarantee that if the shoe was on the other foot, most of the liberals on this site would be arguing the opposite of what they are now.

Perception is greater than reality most times in this world. And with the republicans knee jerk reaction and statements right after the death of the good judge stating that nobody will get confirmed as long as Obama is president , in the eyes of many they have already broken the rule even if "technically" they haven't.  Republicans are losing the PR battle on this one and are coming off looking poorly.

You clearly disagree and are a right wing zealot, which is fine. But for many Americans like myself who don't belong to either party, I'm just telling you how it looks. Step outside of the republican bubble and take a big-picture view of this situation and I bet your opinion changes.  And I'm a John Kasich supporter saying this!

[pondwater]

Perception is greater than reality most times in this world. And with the republicans knee jerk reaction and statements right after the death of the good judge stating that nobody will get confirmed as long as Obama is president , in the eyes of many they have already broken the rule even if "technically" they haven't.  Republicans are losing the PR battle on this one and are coming off looking poorly.

You clearly disagree and are a right wing zealot, which is fine. But for many Americans like myself who don't belong to either party, I'm just telling you how it looks. Step outside of the republican bubble and take a big-picture view of this situation and I bet your opinion changes.  And I'm a John Kasich supporter saying this!

Republican? Zealot? That's funny. As you, I don't belong to either party. Good god man, I just called 99% of the politicians scum.

Yes, lets get a big picture of the situation for a second. Let's say the republicans do indeed deny an Obama nominee. And we both agree that they haven't actually broken any rules, but it doesn't "look" good to the general voting public. And in the election, the Republicans pay dearly and Hillary is elected POTUS. A person who has "technically" broken rules and done something wrong is rewarded.

Yes, you are correct. Perception is greater than reality, and that's the problem. But that only holds true for a very large percentage of the population that cannot think for themselves. People that vote on perceptions over reality are the reason this country is in the sad shape that it's in.

[Tenshot13]

Replace the word "Obama" with the word "Trump"...would Dems still have the same issue, or would it be "okay?"

[pondwater]

Replace the word "Obama" with the word "Trump"...would Dems still have the same issue, or would it be "okay?"

No, replace it with "Cruz". I bet it would be "okay" with the Dems to "obstruct" in that case.

[Spider-Dan]

Again, why play with hypotheticals?  Replace "Obama" with "Reagan" and the answer is that the Democrats DID confirm the nominee.

No rules or laws broken? Well then that sort of make your side of the "obstruction" argument a moot point.

At no point did I call for Republicans to be arrested or impeached, so you're arguing a point not made.

It is perfectly legal for the Republicans to intentionally sabotage our government for their own political gain.  I never claimed otherwise.  Similarly, it is perfectly legal for them to, say, advocate for the repeal of the 13th Amendment and a return to slavery.

Just because something is not illegal, that doesn't make it a good idea.

[Tenshot13]

Again, why play with hypotheticals?  Replace "Obama" with "Reagan" and the answer is that the Democrats DID confirm the nominee.
At no point did I call for Republicans to be arrested or impeached, so you're arguing a point not made.

It is perfectly legal for the Republicans to intentionally sabotage our government for their own political gain.  I never claimed otherwise.  Similarly, it is perfectly legal for them to, say, advocate for the repeal of the 13th Amendment and a return to slavery.

Just because something is not illegal, that doesn't make it a good idea.

Okay, you don't want to play the hypothetical game and instead use an example from 30 years ago...got it.