Working with Republicans: Merrick Garland says hello

[bluewater]

What Happened With Merrick Garland In 2016 And Why It Matters Now

To recap, Garland was nominated to fill the 2016 vacancy on the Supreme Court created by the death that February of Justice Antonin Scalia, an icon of conservative jurisprudence.

President Barack Obama quickly named Merrick Garland, then 63, to fill the seat. Garland had long been considered a prime prospect for the high court, serving as chief judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit — a frequent source of justices that is sometimes called the "little Supreme Court."

Widely regarded as a moderate, Garland had been praised in the past by many Republicans, including influential senators such as Orrin Hatch of Utah.

But even before Obama had named Garland, and in fact only hours after Scalia's death was announced, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared any appointment by the sitting president to be null and void. He said the next Supreme Court justice should be chosen by the next president — to be elected later that year.

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/29/624467256/what-happened-with-merrick-garland-in-2016-and-why-it-matters-now

So, all these threads about how we can return to civility and work with the Republicans seem to have forgotten this?

The Biden Campaign says Joe Biden can restore civility and restore bipartisanship if he is elected president.

But Joe Biden, as vice president, was PRESIDENT Of THE SENATE when Mitch McConnell stole a Supreme Court appointment from President Obama and the country. Biden presided OVER the Senate as VP.

If he couldn't "work with" Republicans then to just get a hearing for Merrick Garland, why should we think he could do better now?

[hlthe2b]

1. re: "So, all these threads about how we can return to civility and work with the Republicans?"

Where are all these threads?

[OnDoutside]

2. What makes you think any Dem can, with McConnell infesting the senate ?

[Lucky Luciano]

30. I guess the difference is Biden said he could. I doubt it myself. nt

[OnDoutside]

32. It'll be interesting to see if any of the others play the same gambit.

[sandensea]

55. +1

It's not that Biden couldn't, it's that God Himself wouldn't be able to so long as Mitch the Bitch is in charge.

[leftieNanner]

3. So many of the senior Senate Dems

(Lookin' at you Chuck) still think that their institution is playing by the rules of decades ago, where there was an effort to find some consensus and bipartisanship was an actual thing. Mitch made sure to deep six that whole concept. It would actually be nice if we could make that work again, but it will require defeating all of those obstructionist Rs and rebuilding from scratch. We need to take some red state seats in 2020.

[LiberalArkie]

51. So many of the senior members are making so much money right now, they could care less about

anything.

We need a cap on the income levels on members of congress.

[Autumn]

4. It's not "working with" it's about compromising.

I think we have compromised enough.

[bluewater]

5. It's been too much of a one-way street

[FoxNewsSucks]

8. No shit!

It's been almost entirely a one-way street. It's republicon's turn to "compromise" for the next 20 years.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. How does any candidate plan to do anything with a GOP senate?

The next president is likely going to have a divided congress...so are we just gonna concede not getting anything done for the next two-plus years? Yeah, that's a good campaign slogan. Vote for me and I won't do anything.

[Autumn]

12. Should the campaign slogan be "Vote for me and I'll give them most if not all they want"?

They won't compromise.

[Drunken Irishman]

14. So why promise anything then?

Medicare for all? A raise in the minimum wage? The Green New Deal? Empty promises that won't ever pass a GOP-led senate. So in effect, Bernie, Warren and others are liars by promising all this.

[bluewater]

15. Most people realize we need to take back the Senate

And that probably won't happen in 2020, but we need to start NOW pushing the policies and issues to make it possible in 2022 or 2024.

No one is promising miracles in 2020 except Biden.

[Drunken Irishman]

18. This just isn't true.

Please provide a quote where any candidate running right now has admitted that we'll have to delay their agenda for two years while we wait for the Democrats to win back the Senate.

You can't because it's not been said.

Everyone is promising miracles. No one has been forthright in how they'd get their agenda passed - not one. They're all effectively lying when they make these grandiose promises. There's a reason not one candidate says, "we'll get Medicare for All but we'll have to wait until three years into my presidency..." because they know that shit don't sell.

[gldstwmn]

43. We need the whole thing in order to sort out the mess

Orange has created........ Even then it's going to be a herculean task.

[Autumn]

34. And Joe is offering to give them what THEY want in his quest for compromise,

no MFA, no minimum wage raise, no GND, the GOP won't compromise on any of that. So in effect, why bother? I would rather have a promise from Bernie, Warren, and others because I'm pretty sure they would at least fight to get those things. I'll take their empty promises because I know they will protect what's important to women and at leasr make the attempt. Joe? Not so much, he's already said he's fine with the restrictions put on women who are seeking an abortion.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/22/joe-biden-abortion-reproductive-rights-democrats-elizabeth-warren

Biden told his audience in Columbia he would codify the right to an abortion, granted in Roe v Wade, into law “as defined by Casey” – a stance more conservative than those of many other Democratic candidates present.

Casey is the 1992 supreme court decision which allowed states to severely restrict abortion access, including imposing waiting periods and medically unnecessary administrative burdens.

We've compromised enough.

[Drunken Irishman]

50. Then nothing ever gets done.

Great strategy.

[Autumn]

54. How can one even consider working with people who knew Russia was meddling in the election

to install their puppet and wouldn't allow a United States President to tell the American people what was going on? Joe was there, he fucking knew what they did. He knew for 8 years what they did to Obama.

[Drunken Irishman]

60. There's no alternative.

Unless we dissolve the government entirely. How can one propose Medicare for All and expect to get it passed without being a super majority in the United States Senate?

[Autumn]

66. Oh wait is right. Bernie and Warren are the ones talking about what needs to be done.

I don't hear them announcing how eager they are to work with the Republicans.

[ArcticFox]

19. Sometimes doing nothing is the best course

Doing nothing is always better than doing something bad. In this day and age, "compromise" is more akin to selling out, which is bad. I'd prefer a paralyzed government over the fascist one we're getting through all this so-called compromise.

And with the precedent now set by the Bogus POTUS, the next (hopefully Democratic) president can do whatever, even without Congress.

I just want a candidate who won't refuse to prosecute the predecessor, because that rule is just about as stupid as the DOJ policy that you can't indict a sitting president. Notwithstanding that he is only sitting there as a result if committing those crimes.

[Drunken Irishman]

21. Yeah no Democrat who wins is going to prosecute Trump.

If that's your line in the sand, you're not going to accept the next candidate, nominee and president.

[gldstwmn]

44. Yup. He'll be hustled out of the White House

and sent to live out his days at Mar A Lago with a stern warning to keep a low profile or else.

[paleotn]

38. Yes, they will have to concede that if they're in touch with reality....

..and have been keeping up with current events the last 20 year. Rethugs play a zero sum game and they're not conceding a millimeter. They're perfectly happy with not doing anything since they think government is their problem anyway. My response to your statement is and has been....OK, what are you willing to give up to "get things done?" Cuts to SS and Medicare? Further gut the ACA? More tax cuts for the wealthy? What specifically? And what do you expect in return? The painful thing is, I know exactly what you'll get in return...nothing. THAT was Obama's painful lesson for even thinking he could work with these jackasses. Our only hope is to staunch the supply of new jackasses and let the existing jackasses die out. Until then nothing will get done, but if we grab some of the reigns of government by those who refuse faustian bargains, nothing will be lost either.

[Demit]

7. Of course he can't. It's a pipe dream.

Plus it's setting himself up for failure and ridicule. Insisting that he has some magic formula that will make Republicans suddenly work with Democrats only invites Mitch McConnell to sit tight, never budge an inch, then claim "This president has failed in his promises!"

[bluewater]

11. It's wishful thinking that demotivates a large portion of the Democratic base

No one is expecting miracles from the next President as far as getting the Republicans to stop being obstructionists.

The Biden Campaign, however , IS promising such a miracle.

Sorry, Joe Biden is a nice guy, but Mitch McConnell stole a Supreme Court appointment when Biden presided over the Senate and he will try to do EXACTLY that type of thing to whomever the next president ends up being.

Biden should stop promising miracles.

[Demit]

13. There's also a danger that he's so invested in his ability to achieve "consensus"

he'd give away the store to get it. He's conservative in a lot of ways, anyway, plenty of evidence of that in his past.

[Drunken Irishman]

20. What demotivates voters is promising the moon and delivering a wheel of cheese.

And that's what a lot of Democrats are offering this election. Promising Medicare for All, or doing away with student debt, just to get elected and not being able to deliver on any of that is what demotivates voters.

[gldstwmn]

46. Medicare for all wasn't even on the agenda 15 years ago.

It or something like it is coming because it's what people actually want and not just Democrats.

[tritsofme]

9. There is a high chance McConnell remains majority leader after 2020

Even in the case of Trump’s defeat.

You ask why you think we could do better now, my question is what else could be done? If he is still in the leader’s chair...we can’t just wish him away.

[gldstwmn]

47. McConnell must be dealt with.

[Hortensis]

10. Just realize that this message is being

Pushed by McConnell’s side and amplified by Russia.

It took them decades to achieve the current divide in our electorate, and now That what they’ve become is being revealed, they are losing support from people who are very worried about what’s happening and are trying to figure out if they shouldn’t work with us.

Of course that must be stopped. Which is why you will see variations of the message of this OP all over in magazine articles, TV discussions and of course social media.

United we stand, divided we fell.

[BigOleDummy]

16. Well said

Very well said in fact.

[jalan48]

17. Biden's hoping the "I can work with Republicans" will get him votes. I think he's mistaken.

[pnwmom]

22. And Biden was the Head of the Senate Judiciary Committee that approved Clarence Thomas

and didn't give Anita Hill a fair hearing.

He could have refused to have a committee vote on Thomas, or at the very least allowed Anita to call all her witnesses.

[bluewater]

24. Maybe Biden was "working with" the Republicans on that?

When you say "working with" the Republicans after what you brought up, it sounds real bad, doesn't it?

This is why I feel the Biden Campaign is making a huge mistake touting Joe Biden as someone that can "work with" the Republicans.

[pnwmom]

25. At the time, he said that he couldn't call Anita's supporting witnesses

because he had promised the Republicans he'd end the hearings on a certain date. So, in his view, that promise was more important than adding a day to the hearings in order for Anita's witnesses to publicly testify.

And we're all still suffering the consequences of how Biden decided to manage that confirmation.

[JudyM]

59. Poor judgment there: more concerned about retaining credibility than the justice issue at hand.

[andym]

23. Basically, not one progressive plan being proposed is going to be passed in 2021

Because we would need 60 votes in the Senate, where most non-biased analysts feel that even getting a majority in the Senate will be difficult. What needs to be done is to restore the USA leadership to respectability, make Supreme Court nominations, and perhaps begin the process of "reprogramming" some of the Fox-News brainwashed folks in the country.

Since your OP was about working with Republicans, it does stand to reason that if a Democratic President were to find any common ground with them that the public could appreciate it could help validate Democratic ideas for some folks who are moderates or even vote GOP.

[bluewater]

26. I think most Democrats realize we need to take back the Senate.

You are absolutely correct, none of our Democratic plans have a chance of passing in 2020.

We don't expect miracles that Republican will have a change of heart in 2020 just because we will elect a Democratic president.

We need to start now to take back the senate in 2022 and 2024 and going forward if need be.

We all know it will take more work than electing just one person to the presidency.

But we have to start now, push our plans and our programs to make real change possible.

[andym]

27. That's why I like Warren-- she as the ability to make liberal/progressive ideas seem reasonable

and that's what we will need down the road to actually get change.

[Horizens]

33. Yes and No

Yes, getting a majority of the senate will be difficult - highly unlikely.

No, we don't need sixty votes to pass budget related legislation ( the tax code). That only requires a simple majority.

"Reconciliation is a legislative process of the United States Congress that allows expedited passage of certain budgetary legislation on spending, revenues, and the federal debt limit with a simple majority vote in both the House (218 votes) and Senate (51 votes)."

[andym]

65. How much new policy can we get with reconciliation?

I thought that reconciliation did not allow new policy initiatives other than things like changing the tax code? Is that correct? Could add a tax credit that would make college free for more low- and middle-income folks? I don't really know myself.

[Mr.Bill]

28. The only thing that will make republicans civil

is if they wake up after election day and realize a Democrat won the White House and the republicans have 39 seats in the Senate. They will act real civil then.

[gldstwmn]

48. They will try to impeach someone.

[Mr.Bill]

52. If they don't control the House

they would be wasting their time.

[TryLogic]

29. Good point

I assume Biden was in the room when McConnell stopped Obama from announcing/warning that Russia was interfering with our election, our democracy.

Biden gave us Clarence Thomas by discounting Anita Hill.

Of course, it is true that McConnell does not compromise. He is a power freak and loves to prove it.

For a reality check listen to Michael Bennet who is in the Senate and willing to talk about it.

We must retake the Senate, and KY must retire McConnell. McConnell is corrupt.

Hey Kentucky, send someone to the Senate who is honorable.

[warmfeet]

31. It's a complete waste of time for any Democrat

to attempt to work with the republicant's. We need the senate, and we need the executive, and we need to retain the house. Once those things are accomplished we can start to repair the damage (hopefully it can be repaired) and move forward, as a country, once again. Moving backwards really sucks.

[AncientGeezer]

35. "Biden presided OVER the Senate as VP."

But had Zero authority over how the Senate operates. Except for the very few cases of a tie vote..it's ceremonial.

For a couple yrs Cheney was President of the Senate...when Harry Reid was Majority Leader('06-Jan '09)....that f'waffel couldn't stop ML Reid from doing what he proposed.

[bluewater]

39. Presiding Over the Senate: being in position to influence all Senators

To get Mitch McConnell to "work with" him.

A major responsibility of a Vice President, as President of the Senate is to lobby the opposition Senators.

Presiding over the Senate and being in contact with all the Senators is part of the job description.

Biden was unable to get Mitch McConnell to "work with" him to get the Merrick Garland appointment to a vote.

[tritsofme]

63. Oh bullshit. Biden had no leverage to force a vote.

McConnell made his decision with respect to Garland, and there was nothing any Democrat could do about it.

If he is still in power, there are certain things McConnell will have to deal on, and I think Biden makes a good argument that he can strike the best deal.

[Auggie]

41. This is correct: Biden had NO AUTHORITY. This OP is BULLSHIT.

[bluewater]

42. As US President, Biden would have NO AUTHORITY over the Senate either.

The point is, as VP and President of the Senate, Biden was supposed to have INFLUENCE over the Senate.


Biden was unable back then to INFLUENCE Mitch McConnell to get a vote on Merrick Garland.

Why should we think he will be able to INFLUENCE Mitch McConnell now?

[Mr.Bill]

53. And neither will Elizabeth Warren or any other Democrat.

Unless we take back the Senate.

[Auggie]

57. YES! Democrats HAVE TO gain control of the Senate in 2020!

[AncientGeezer]

56. Did Cheney have influance of Harry Reid? Of course not.

Being Pres. of the Senate has ONE Constitutional benefit...breaking a Tie vote. Nothing more.

Biden had absolutely NO influence over what turtle did....like Cheney when Reid was Majority Leader.

[bluewater]

58. Biden is claiming NOW that he WILL have influence over the Senate

I agree Biden did have very little influence over what turtle did.

It's why people are so skeptical of his claims that he can NOW "work with" republicans to "get things done"

History proves him wrong.

[AncientGeezer]

61. Where is that claim...this should be easy

[MarcA]

64. His June 11th speech in Washington DC to supporters and donors.

He talked about how when drumph is gone Republicans will be better
and about his experiences with 12 Republicans in the Senate. Its in
several places on the Internet and You Tube.

[AncientGeezer]

68. As POTUS he/she has a ton of negotiating possibilities

..with a Chamber held by the other Party.
If not we'd have a shut down Every time an omnibus/budget/CR bill came to vote..not just what it seems now..shut down every other time.

But as President of the Senate(VP)...zip-zero-nada

[northoftheborder]

36. I'm not trying to be a wet blanket or tear down Biden or anyone else. But.....

This thread is tending toward my view that all the plans, promises, schemes, to change everything from college costs to health care to whatever, is NOT going anywhere unless we can take back the Senate, keep the House, and possibly get rid of McConnell. Making huge changes and promises can backfire, if there is not a possibility of getting those things through Congress. And even with a cooperative Congress, those members have their own ideas and plans. A President can suggest a way forward, but needs to know how to lead, not dictate.

I'm looking for someone with strength of character and a vision who can inspire the average citizen. I think most, if not all, of the current candidates have a progressive mind-set, some more than others; but can they fire up the average Joe???? I'm not sure who can do that yet.

[Locrian]

37. lets not forget the Bush Tax cuts that Joe worked with Mitch to make permament

another example of bipartisanship?

https://theintercept.com/2019/06/24/joe-biden-tax-cuts-mitch-mconnell/
Joe Biden Says He Can Work With the Senate. The Last Time He Tried, Mitch McConnell Picked His Pockets Badly

[treestar]

40. Being President of the Senate doesn't mean shit

until there is a tie.

[vlyons]

45. Point well taken

nt

[yaesu]

49. there will be no working with, compromising with the gop terrorist organization. nt