Cruz: Nuclear option on the table if Dems filibuster SCOTUS pick

[Jose Garcia]

Source: Politico

Ted Cruz is taking an aggressive stance toward Senate Democrats who are threatening to block President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, issuing an explicit warning that Republicans could rewrite Senate rules if Democrats force their hand.

The Texas senator said in an interview that no matter what they try, Democrats will not be able to stop Trump's nominee — and said that the GOP should not shy away from changing the filibuster's 60-vote threshold on high court nominees if need be.

"The Democrats are not going to succeed in filibustering the Supreme Court nominee," Cruz said on Tuesday. "All procedural options are on the table. The bottom line is we will confirm a strong conservative to replace Justice Scalia."

Cruz has been particularly committed to the Supreme Court fight, floating an indefinite blockade if Hillary Clinton had won and using Trump's commitment to a conservative justice as his primary rationale for supporting a former rival. But his stance amounts to an escalation of a roiling conflict over the vacant seat.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/ted-cruz-nuclear-option-democrats-filibuster-234432

[bravenak]

1. And when they lose the Senate all bets are off

[yurbud]

14. damn! Beat me to it.

[Longtime lurker 99]

2. So if Clinton would have won and the Dems had the Senate

majority Cruz would have wanted the opposite.

[Raster]

3. Ted Cruz is a soul-less little prick.

[Garion_55]

4. old cruz quote about rule changing...

Yet at the very same press conference on the very same stage, cold water was thrown on that idea by the very Republican who has used the filibuster perhaps most effectively over his time in Congress — Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. When asked by NBC News about House conservatives demands for a rule change, Cruz replied, "I think the Senate rules wisely protect the minority and they have served as the framers put it 'to allow the Senate to be the -- cooler -- the saucer that cools the hot temperatures of the moment."

"The answer, I believe, is not to change the Senate rules, the answer is for Senate Democrats not to be obstructionists," Cruz added.

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/cruz-shuts-down-conservatives-demands-change-senate-rules-n305351

[atreides1]

5. Rafael Cruz

An irrelevant lick spittle...who would do a better job at cleaning the insides of heavily used spitoons, then being a US Senator!

[ck4829]

6. Whatever you say, Lyin' Ted Cruz.

[Girard442]

7. Dems should realize that the filibuster is dead.

Last edited Tue Jan 31, 2017, 02:48 PM - Edit history (1)

They should unanimously oppose Trump's nominee and let the chips fall where they may. Keeping the corpse of the filibuster propped up on life support serves no useful purpose.

Dem should hold firm and focus on turning some Republicans. It probably won't work, but every other option is worse.

Come home with your shield -- or on it.

[tparrett62]

15. Agreed

Whether it's this time or next, the Republicans are going to use it. May as well start the fight now.

[Javaman]

8. people, even the gop, still listen to grampa munster? nt

[bucolic_frolic]

9. You had to know these scumbags would do this

And I thought the rules were set in stone at the beginning of the Senate session
and that's the only time they could be modified

This is all culture war fallout.

And after the Garland stolen seat work stoppage, Orrin Hatch was lambasting
Dems today for not showing up to vote for cabinet nominees.

The GOP needs one thing, really really bad. A MIRROR

[Still In Wisconsin]

10. That cuts both ways, Lyin' Ted...

[FBaggins]

12. I think that's his point too.

The filibuster for appointments died when Reid killed it. "Filibuster for me but not for thee" was never going to happen (nor was there ever any doubt that it was dead for Supreme Court picks too - that was just a matter of time).

It's far too late for variations of "paybacks are hell".

[VivaResitance]

11. The Hypocrisy

these guys have no shame whatsoever absolutely disgusting. Is there anyway we can get these clowns out of here?

[hamsterjill]

13. Just gotta share a funny story (maybe not so funny) about calling ole Ted's office.

I live in Texas and I'm stuck with Cruz and Cornyn. I've been calling on several issues, but I called Cruz's office the other day to express my disdain over the fact that Trump was screaming about voter fraud, yada, yada, yada.

In the course of the conversation with the staffer, I remarked that Trump was a pathological liar. The staffer shot back with "that's an opinion", explaining that an opinion isn't a fact.

I shot back, "Well, then I must be in good company. Because let me read to you a quote from Senator Cruz regarding Donald Trump". And I read the following:

"Senator Ted Cruz, incensed about Trump's assertion that Cruz's father participated in the JFK assassination, called Trump a "pathological liar". He said, "He doesn't know the difference between truth and lies. He lies practically every word that comes out of his mouth. And he had a pattern that I think is straight out of a psychology textbook. His response is to accuse everybody else of lying."

I could hear the smugness on the other end as the staffer answered "I'll pass you comment along to Senator Cruz".

[MotorCityMan]

20. hamsterjill, you are my idol

What a GREAT response to the self-satisfied Cruz toady. Nothing like hitting them back with their own words....

[hamsterjill]

24. Thank you.

Being pissed off has always, at certain times in my life, been a great motivator!!! LOL

I have been pissed off royally since November 9th. It hasn't let up and I probably, seriously need anger management!

[Blue Idaho]

16. Live by the sword, die by the sword - Ted. nt.

[Tommy Generico]

17. There's no constitutional requirement to have nine justices

That's just current law. Originally it was six.

A depressing thought occurs to me:

With the current eight the SCOTUS tends to lean right. And the oldest one (Ginsburg) is also one of the good ones.

So the reptiles can just sort of hang on and make political hay out of any filibuster without having to "go nuclear" or any such thing.

[Yupster]

21. I don't think they'll filibuster for a while

Better to pound on red state Democratic senators for a few months first. Try to get Manchin to switch parties. Then once they've gotten what they can,. they'll go nuclear and pass him.

[sinkingfeeling]

18. So now Lyin' Cruz runs the Senate? Did the turtle escape?

[harun]

19. They're bluffing, call it.

[Tatiana]

22. Call their bluff. Dare McConnell to do it.

He won't. Because once the Democrats re-gain Congress (and we will), then they won't be able to obstruct.

[Morganfleeman]

23. Disagree

We are talking about Supreme Court nominee filibusters, not general legislation filibusters. Republicans have too high an incentive eliminate the filibuster for SCOTUS nominees. There are three justices older than 75 and two are liberal. Do you think the Republicans care about blowback if they can replace Ginsburg with a conservative justice? There's also talk of one retirement later this year. They are praying for a Democratic filibuster as they can stack the court during this administration and shape decisions for the next 20-30 years.