President Obama on Thursday bashed Senate Republicans’ reasoning that the voters should weigh in on the Supreme Court in the 2016 presidential election and that consideration of a nominee should wait until then.
“One of the most puzzling arguments that I’ve heard from [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell and some other Republicans is this notion that the American people should decide. We should let the American people decide as part of this election, who gets to fill this seat,” Obama told NPR in an interview set to air in full on Friday morning. “Well, in fact the American people did decide — back in 2012 when they elected me president of the United States with sufficient electoral votes.”
“And they also decided that the Republicans would be in the majority,” the President continued. “They didn’t say we’re going to decide that you are going to be in charge for three years and then in the last year you all take a break. They say ‘No, you’re the president for four years and Mr. McConnell you’re going to be the leader because we’ve given you a Majority in the Senate.”
Since Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, Republicans have reiterated that they will not hold hearings or a vote for Obama’s nominee. While some senators have suggested considering Garland during the lame duck period if a Democrat wins the White House, Senate Republican leaders have rejected that idea.
Reid needs to completely stop all of the Senate’s business this year under the rubric if the Republicans can not do their jobs, so can the Democrats gum up the works.
Make McTurtle the worst Senate leader of all time, a title he well deserves!
Shorter for McConnell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjNIARQGIYAReasoning with these clowns is hopeless, given their abject determination to disparage the legitimacy of BHO as POTUS. They’re locked into that gameplan for the duration, regardless of whether it’s working or not.
Whether the country is willing to listen to reason is another story. They elected him convincingly two times, so the GOP gameplan is obviously without merit. Hammer THAT home and you win this battle, Mr. President.
Nope. The Democrats must not sink to their level. They need to continue to do the business of the Senate – and in fact frequently make motions to do the tasks that should be done, but the Republicans won’t let happen (e.g., meet with Obama’s SCOTUS nominees), to drive home who is actually doing the work of the people.
The moment the Dems participate in the obstruction of government, we give the GOP ammunition.
And there it is. Alleluia! Bout time. I would have thought any one of the Democratic congress persons would have made this statement long ago, but I think I actually like it better coming from the big guy himself. Now it needs to be repeated until the false narrative is replaced. Or until hell freezes over. Whichever.