Play up the issue of them taking this to avoid a more liberal justice and that it is proof that the liberals want to weaken the 2nd amendment.
But as stated the GOP is dumb.
Thank you for writing to me regarding the United States Supreme Court. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.
As you may know, the Constitution grants the President the power to nominate a candidate for the vacancy left after Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s untimely death. The Constitution separately gives the Senate the power of advice and consent regarding a nomination. President Obama’s supporters repeat the slogan that the Senate must “do its job” with respect to the Scalia vacancy, and I agree. The Senate’s job is to determine the most appropriate way to fulfill our advice-and-consent role in the particular circumstances surrounding this vacancy. The Senate would not be doing its job, for example, if it structured the confirmation process in a way that was more appropriate for a situation different than the one we face today. In addition, withholding consent can be just as valid an exercise of the Senate’s role as granting it, and deferring the confirmation process can be just as appropriate as proceeding with it immediately.
I am convinced that the best way for the Senate to exercise its advice-and-consent responsibility regarding the Scalia vacancy is to hold consideration of a nominee after the election season is over. Both the confirmation process and the current presidential campaign, which is already well underway, have become confrontational and divisive. Considering a nomination in the middle of a contentious presidential election would be unfair to the nominee and could damage the judicial confirmation process even further. The goal of minimizing the politics surrounding the confirmation process is better served by conducting thoughtful deliberation after the presidential election season has come to an end.
Waiting to confirm a nominee is also necessary to respect the will of the American people after the 2014 mid-term election. Elections have consequences, and in the last election, the American people elected a Republican Senate majority to help check the President’s power. The decision by Senate Republicans to wait until after the election to confirm a nominee is simply a fulfillment of that promise. Americans will again make their voices known in the 2016 election when they vote for a President who will decide the direction of our nation’s highest court.
The issue is when—not whether—the confirmation process should occur for the Scalia vacancy. I remain convinced that the Senate can best do its job by conducting the confirmation process after this toxic presidential election season is over. Doing so is the best way to ensure fairness to a nominee, preserve the integrity of the judicial branch, and give the American people a voice in the direction of the Supreme Court.
I have served longer on the Judiciary Committee than all but one Senator in the committee’s history. During these past four decades, including eight years as chairman of the committee, I have worked hard to be fair toward the nominees chosen by Presidents of both parties. I have absolutely no doubt that my decision regarding the current vacancy fits squarely within this record of fairness.
Thank you, again, for contacting me with your comments. If you would like to have regular updates on my work in the U.S. Senate, I encourage you to subscribe to my E-newsletter, visit my Facebook page, and follow me on Twitter.
Your Senator,
Orrin G. Hatch
United States Senator
As if the toxic environment will go away after the election.
Yes, I'm planning to do so. I figure none of my emails will do much good, but at least they will know I didn't agree.You could reply saying, "Dear senator, with actions like this YOU ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE TOXIC ENVIRONMENT."
It wouldn't do any good, but might make you feel better.![]()
I figure none of my emails will do much good, but at least they will know I didn't agree.
Kind of like why I voted for Kasich in the Republican primary.![]()
I wrote my senators a couple of weeks ago about my disapproval of not even pretending to consider Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court. This is my response from Orrin Hatch:
As if the toxic environment will go away after the election.
The fact that he took the time to respond to you in not a brief manner is respectable. Let us know if he answers back when you reply to him. I like it when public figures are open to debating issues directly with the people.
You could reply saying, "Dear senator, with actions like this YOU ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE TOXIC ENVIRONMENT."
It wouldn't do any good, but might make you feel better.![]()
I'm certain it was a form letter written by a staff member (maybe with his input), because many people made the same complaint. I've gotten similar form letters on other issues. Call me jaded but there's no chance he will respond individually to her next reply.
I accept the reality that under your management, JazzFanz Community has collected a lot of agreeable folks who might think this is the right view, but I am here to differ. . . .
I would say, polling the truckers at the Flying J truck stops around the west, that confirming Merrick Garland would lead to an armed revolt...
But the staffers to compile lists, and pass up statistical breakdowns of the sentiments. Hatch will morph a little to catch the wind.
I think most of us here aren't saying that Garland needs to necessarily be confirmed. Merely that the Senate should do its responsibility in giving serious consideration to Pres. Obama's nomination (holding hearings, etc.). At least, that's my view.
I think most of us here aren't saying that Garland needs to necessarily be confirmed. Merely that the Senate should do its responsibility in giving serious consideration to Pres. Obama's nomination (holding hearings, etc.). At least, that's my view.
I'm certain it was a form letter written by a staff member (maybe with his input), because many people made the same complaint. I've gotten similar form letters on other issues. Call me jaded but there's no chance he will respond individually to her next reply.
yah, that's right.
Hatch is also right that the Senate, in fact, has the prerogative and can act out the hearings and summarily reject the appointment, or just wait a while. I've already done my rant about the chances of Hillary. I don't think Bernie can win, either. And the Senate leadership apparently feels the same way.
And I think there is serious tonnage to the mail Hatch is getting that is telling him "No Way" on the hearings.
It's the way things are. . . . 2016 is an interesting political year.
Truckers listen to all the talk radio, the two guys on RedEye Radio, to that Mormon guy in the morning, what's his name. . . . Rush, Hannity, and Levine. I think the mainstream media is only seen over breakfast at the motels, where no one is there long enough to change the channel.
Homemaking women pretty much don't watch the soaps anymore, they're hooked on Rush.
When Hillary becomes President will you admit that not only were you wrong but that your entire premise and analysis of this issue was wrong?