02-15-2016, 01:12 PM
ColoradoTree, I think your analysis is well done.
That said, my recollection is that the Democrats regularly used the fillibuster to thwart Pres. Bush's judicial nominees (although it didnt affect a Supreme Ct nominee) so the precedent of not allowing a vote on a President's nominee seems, unfortunately, to have been established.
But the bottom line is politics is becoming increasingly polarized, and this action by the Republicans, which I hope they are just using for leverage but wouldnt bet on it, is just one more step in that direction. And for those who think this polarization is overwhelmingly caused by Republicans, well, let's just say we disagree.
That said, my recollection is that the Democrats regularly used the fillibuster to thwart Pres. Bush's judicial nominees (although it didnt affect a Supreme Ct nominee) so the precedent of not allowing a vote on a President's nominee seems, unfortunately, to have been established.
But the bottom line is politics is becoming increasingly polarized, and this action by the Republicans, which I hope they are just using for leverage but wouldnt bet on it, is just one more step in that direction. And for those who think this polarization is overwhelmingly caused by Republicans, well, let's just say we disagree.