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Chief Joe's avatar

Also RBG failure to resign.

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TZReader's avatar

If she had resigned at the end of ObamaтАЩs second term, why do we think McConnell would have considered replacing her? He was steadfastly rigging the Court. We would have had two Justices picked by Donald right off the bat.

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Chief Joe's avatar

I think the question would have come sooner. If McConnell refused to fill slot she could just stay. But it would have been a little harder I think Collins and murkowski would have folded.

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TZReader's avatar

Maybe. But I think that a lot of us were just learning what McConnell and the Republicans were willing to do to control the Supreme Court.

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NLTownie's avatar

What is the point of having this discussion? RBG didnтАЩt resign in time. That ship sailed years ago in political time, at least. Shoulda coulda mighta etc. Done and dusted. Really - what is there to be gained by going through the argument when there are so many more pressingly practical issues? One of the тАЬwhat ifsтАЭ of history.

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TZReader's avatar

Please feel free to ignore what I have to say. I promise to return the favor.

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NLTownie's avatar

If that is what you want. Except I really do wonder why it gets brought up. I agree she should have resigned earlier but thatтАЩs 20 20 hindsight. Maybe itтАЩs an object lesson for future similar situation or a really good argument for term limits for Supreme Court appointments.

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howard's avatar

The time for her to resign was when the dems had the senate majority during obama's first term, but her ego, unforgivably, got in the way.

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Ben Gruder's avatar

When was McConnel NOT in control of the Senate during Obama's second term? Because there's no reason he would not have found an excuse to refuse to consider a replacement for her as well as for Scalia.

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Micah Grossman's avatar

McConnell only became Majority leader after the 14 midterms. The minute Obama won re-election she could have resigned and Schumer could have ensured Garland a vote.

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Double-A's avatar

Harry Reid was Majority Leader after Obama was re-elected, not Schumer yet, but your general thrust is correct.

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Micah Grossman's avatar

I knew he retired sometime during Obama's administration, I guess I thought it happened earlier. Reid was much more capable and would definitely shepherded Garland through that process in '12-14 had RBG resigned then.

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SKP's avatar

That was 6 years before she actually died. She looked and probably felt a lot less vulnerable then.

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E2's avatar

She knew she was already past 80 years old. She knew she had already had four rounds of cancer. It was irresponsible to bet the country's well-being, the rights of millions of citizens, on her personal well-being.

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