Cruz Says It ‘Doesn’t Make Sense’ To Hold Confirmation Hearings (VIDEO)

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at a rally Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Anderson, S.C. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said the suggestion of holding a hearing for any potential Supreme Court nominee “doesn’t make sense” during a Tuesday appearance on Hugh Hewitt’s radio program.

“It doesn’t make sense to hold a hearing, because it is about the institution and presidential abuse of power, which we’ve seen for seven years,” Cruz said.

Cruz was responding to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who said on Tuesday he has not decided whether or not to hold a hearing for the President Obama’s nominee to replace the late Supreme Court Antonin Scalia.

“As Republicans, we need to nominate a candidate who understands these issues and can go head-to-head with the Democrats,” Cruz added.

Listen to the interview below:

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Notable Replies

  1. The only thing Cruz knows about being a senator is to close government. He is supposed to be a constitutional expert but as it turns out he doesn’t know the first thing about the constitution. He is only concentrated about being an obstructionist. Among the Republican candidates, he is the most dangerous and least qualified.

  2. If Obama should not be allowed to fill a SC vacancy because he’s in the last year of his term as President, then logically he should not be carrying out any of his other responsibilities of office. The more you work through the Republican arguments, the crazier they sound - I assumed the Senate would deny any appointment Obama made, but if they’re going to go out of their way to sound irrational and blindly obstructionist, then the Dems should be pointing this out relentlessly, right through the November elections. And Obama’s comment yesterday about “strict constructionists” was a good starting point.

  3. “As Republicans, we need to nominate a candidate who understands these issues and can go head-to-head with the Democrats,” Cruz added.

    So, I assume Cruz wants an honest SCOTUS nominee, one that will truthfully answer questions under oath at the confirmation hearings. He also want one that will go head-to-head with Democrats.
    
    ***Ted Cruz's dream hearing:***
    
    "Sir/Madame, this Senate panel would like assurances you will approach your job judging each issue before you in an impartial, open-minded manner. Can you offer us that assurance?"
    
    "No, Mr. Senator, I pledge to serve as a bulwark against Democrats in our government institutions and agencies, acting on behalf of the Republican Party."
    
    "Thank you for your candor, you're confirmed."
    

    This from someone touting respect for the Constitution.

  4. It doesn’t make sense to Ted Cruz, but nothing about Ted Cruz makes sense. In fact, Ted Cruz’s celebrated intellect appears to me to be utter nonsense. The guy is the personification of Elmer Gantry.

  5. Cruz: Sometimes common sense trumps our constitution. This is one of those times. In times like these, we must ignore the constitution. This is what founders wanted.

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