Yes, the supreme court battle has begun and, so far, it is apparent that most of the casualties are already on the Republican side and the injuries are self-inflicted.
If you haven’t yet come to this conclusion, watch the melt-down of Sen. James Inhofe, R- Oklahoma 7 minutes into Chuck Todd's report, Supreme Court Battle Begins. Todd leaves Inhofe with no wiggle room. If the potential constitutional crisis wasn’t so serious, and if I had no pity left in me, this would be fun to watch.
Republican’s have painted themselves into a corner, and the bluster, stammering, deer-in-the-headlights responses that Inhofe struggles to give are proof positive of their distress.
Just in case you missed it, 2 ½ minutes into Todd’s report, you can hear Orrin Hatch attempting to defend Republican obstructionism with the excuse that Judge Merrick Garland needs to be protected from the divisive political climate.
“He is a good man, but he shouldn’t be brought up in this toxic environment,” Hatch told reporters Wednesday. “I am tired of the Supreme Court being used as a battering ball back and forth on both sides. That is why I’d put it off till next year.”
Obviously, Hatch’s real problem is that President Obama has called their bluff and bluster by nominating a moderate. The “toxic environment” and “battering ball” are easily put aside by the ones who took up these weapons to prevent a confirmation hearing. Hatch and his ilk have been caught in a trap of their own making and Senator Hatch who is "blowing apart the Republicans' obstructionist argument.
By contrast, Josh Ernest, White House Press Secretary, responds to the Todd’s questions with a clear, rational, precise and persuasive argument for going forward with the nomination of Judge Merrick.
The real and lasting winners of this ridiculous fight will come when We the People work together towards the defeat of any politician who has chosen their position or their party above the needs of the 99% who suffer from unprofessional, unethical, self-serving policies and unjust laws/systems that work to keep us in our place.
Unfortunately, as usual, most Republicans don’t get it. They have already lost the moral and political argument. Many are determined to continue their irrational, reckless fight. And the most important casualties will include the checks and balances that are inherent in the system of three branches of government set forth in the U. S. Constitution. Were they paying attention when the balance of powers was being taught in their civics lessons? Maybe they need to be reminded of the basics. Congress for KIds:
Each branch is restrained by the other two in several ways. For example, the president may veto a law passed by Congress. Congress can override that veto with a vote of two-thirds of both houses. Another example is that the Supreme Court may check Congress by declaring a law unconstitutional. The power is balanced by the fact that members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president. Those appointments have to be approved by Congress.
Right! So lets get on with it.