If Anthony Kennedy retires, that's when we need a Merrick Garland

[yurbud]

Gorsuch was a far righty replacing another far rightie, so it didn't change the balance of the court.

Anthony Kennedy is often a swing vote, so his replacement will be critical.

Republicans might actually consider agreeing to Garland or the equivalent for that seat as a way to dampen Democratic fervor for the midterms or whatever election is after Kennedy's retirement.

At least that's the pitch someone could make to Republicans.

The current partisan balance would be maintained, which is way the hell more than the Republicans deserve.

And they would still lose anyway, but possibly hold onto a handful of marginal seats.

[Voltaire2]

1. Republicans are going to agree that their guy

gets confirmed and will blow up confirmation filibusters to make that happen.

[inwiththenew]

2. I think we are more likely to get someone right of Gorsuch than Merrick Garland

I mean Trump has literally no incentive to nominate someone who could get bi-partisan support now that McConnell has nuked the filibuster. On top of that Republicans only real "win" thus far under Trump is Gorsuch so they are badly in need of another win to placate the base.

[yurbud]

5. good point.

[Amishman]

9. Yup, this is the cost of playing hardball on Gorsuch

They have zero incentives to make any deals. Rules have already been changed, they will move right... Just how far right. Their base will be vocal and demand a far right pick again. Trump will be motivated to pick a far right judge again as his promise of far right SCOTUS picks got him a lot of votes according to exit polls. He needs to keep that card to keep some supporters

The only one with any leverage is Kennedy himself.

[SoCalMusicLover]

3. LOL!!!!

Yeah, the repubs are going to allow the Democrats input on who replaces Kennedy. The repubs are all about fairness and appearances, so I'm sure if a Democrat asked nicely, they will be agreeable.

[yurbud]

6. when you put it like that...

[maxrandb]

4. If Kennedy retires

Then we need a GENERAL STRIKE in this country. Not one more goddamned lifetime appointment for this treasonous prick, without pain for the entire fucking country.

This is fucking WAR! If you haven't grasped that yet, we are in serious trouble.

[yurbud]

7. I would not say "pain for the entire country" but yes to a general strike

and there comes a time when protest moves beyond marches and carrying signs and moves to physically stopping things from happening.

Not necessarily violence, but blocking entrances, filling offices with protesters, and non-compliance.

[Amishman]

10. Where would these strikes be? In the cities that overwhelmingly rejected Trump last year?

The people who brought us Trump don't live in the places we have chosen as our focal points

[yurbud]

11. good point--but it is where the people who BENEFIT from Trump live.

[tritsofme]

8. This post is so far removed from reality...is it supposed to be some sort of clever satire?

Because if it is, it went way over my head...

The logic just doesn't make any sense, why would do you think Republicans surrendering the most pivotal Supreme Court vacancy in a generation would improve their 2018 chances? They would be crucified by their own base...especially since they have a majority and after the nuclear option need zero Democratic votes to confirm their nominee.

It's fun to fantasize on a lazy afternoon...I guess? But this is a weird one.

[yurbud]

12. it was worth a shot.

[madinmaryland]

14. Unless there is a serious possibility there may be multiple indictments of repubican Senators...

Otherwise this is just an idle fantasy.

I see that there may be a "house of cards" falling into itself.