09-21-2020, 12:19 PM
(09-21-2020, 10:56 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: So, after sitting on this over the weekend, here are my thoughts on the politics of this all. I disagree with the idea that there should not be a Justice nominated in an election year. I disagreed with the idea of it in 2016, and I disagree with it now. In this specific instance, though, I will absolutely advocate against nominating a Justice this year. If it is held off until after the inauguration, then it is a wash. This is why I have no issue with Democrats fighting the idea of a Trump nominee.
I also want to add that the extremes to which Republicans are twisting to back out of their words four years ago is not surprising, but it is absolutely disgusting. There is zero integrity or honor among the likes of Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, and others. They set a precedent when it benefited them and now turn their back on it. I'm betting there would be some conversations we had on here four years ago that were concerned about the precedent.
Was there ever any doubt? Here's the problem though, the hypocrisy is rampant on both sides. If you were against not filling the vacancy in 2016 then you have to be against it now, otherwise you're a hypocrite. If your position in 2016 was that the next president should fill the seat and you're for filling the seat now then you're a hypocrite. Ginsburg herself was against not filling the position in 2016, stating something along the lines of the president doesn't stop being the president in their final year in office. You cite precedent, but precedent is not law, it's not binding in any sense. I also have zero doubt that if it was a Dem POTUS and a Dem controlled Senate that they'd be confirming before the inauguration.
So essentially it's a massive group of hypocrites all contradicting their former positions. In other words, business as usual in DC.
