GOP Begins Laying Out Campaign Against Obama's Court Pick

[babylonsister]

Considering Obama hasn't made a pick yet, don't they even consider how desperate this looks?

Sam Stein
GOP Begins Laying Out Campaign Against Obama's Court Pick
05/ 3/09 11:57 AM


The framework of the forthcoming battle over Barack Obama's Supreme Court pick began to materialize on Sunday, as a range of Republican officials sent out trial-balloon criticisms of a pick that is likely weeks away from being announced.

Talk of a filibuster was not directly addressed or, for that matter, ruled out. Republicans on the talk show circuit repeatedly noted that Obama himself had voted against cloture on the nomination of Samuel Alito in late January 2006.

"Well, I'm not a payback type of guy," Sen. Richard Shelby declared during an appearance on CNN. "I think you have to keep moving. On the other hand, a lot of us were aware of then Senator Obama's votes against Alito and I believe against Roberts. But I think Obama has -- President Obama has got some strong cards to deal. I hope he makes a great choice for the court."

Generally, however, Republicans tried to duck discussion of holding up a Supreme Court nominee in committee or Senate - in the process, spurring speculation that they would do just that.

"They need to get back to interpreting the law, and ultimately too many times lately they point to international law instead of the U.S. Constitution," Sen. John Ensign said when asked about holding up the nominee, during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. "We need to get back to what the Supreme Court is supposed to be about."

As for the president's process of selecting a nominee, GOPers were already sounding alarm. Sen. Orrin Hatch, who formerly chaired the Judiciary Committee, said that the broad standards that Obama had laid out for a Court pick -- including the quality of empathy -- were tantamount to committing himself to an "activist judge."

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/03/gop-begins-laying-out-cam_n_195317.html

[emulatorloo]

1. Roberts, Alito. Seems like they owe us one who has "empathy", don't they? n/t

[SalmonChantedEvening]

2. "Whatever it is, I'm against it."

Groucho nailed the party of NO 77 years ago. :)

[Jeep789]

3. Already trying to make empathy a dirty word

If Obama had used the words honesty and integrity, they'd be attacking those virtues because we know they certainly don't have them.

[AllentownJake]

4. Filibuster a President that has a near 70% approval rating

and Reid let them fucking mount a real filibuster not this bull shit where you go oh well no 60 votes

[bluestateguy]

5. I don't see where they have the votes to do any more than pound the table and whine

The only Republicans Obama should consult are Snowe and Collins; then make sure the DLCers (Nelson, Specter, etc.) don't have any of their "concerns" (Senators love to go on Sunday morning shows to say they have "concerns"), and then steamroll ahead.

[opihimoimoi]

6. They are Scorned, rejected, and Angry all at bthe same time..What do Bullies do...Pout and Obstruct?

Yep....thats what they do....Make trouble, hinder, blame, lie even....anything to stall stifle...They hate success....