09-21-2020, 12:22 PM
One of the discussions being had is around court packing if they approve a Trump nominee. I've seen some folks on the left advocating for retaliation in the form of completely dismantling the filibuster and upping the number of Justices to 11 if they take the Senate and the White House in November.
So here is the problem with that. Public mood via polling (which could change based on current circumstances) surrounding nominating a Justice at this point is low. Most voters don't want it to happen. However, even fewer voters approve of court packing. That's the political gambit being played right now. McConnell risks a higher likelihood of losing control of the Senate if they push through a nominee, but it's a bet they're willing to take if they can put another Justice on the bench because the long-term implications of the move are strong and the Democrats will likely not retaliate with court packing because of the approval.
It's very interesting to watch.
So here is the problem with that. Public mood via polling (which could change based on current circumstances) surrounding nominating a Justice at this point is low. Most voters don't want it to happen. However, even fewer voters approve of court packing. That's the political gambit being played right now. McConnell risks a higher likelihood of losing control of the Senate if they push through a nominee, but it's a bet they're willing to take if they can put another Justice on the bench because the long-term implications of the move are strong and the Democrats will likely not retaliate with court packing because of the approval.
It's very interesting to watch.
"A great democracy has got to be progressive, or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy..." - TR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
