EVIDENCE OF SOME SPINAL TISSUE…OR JUST ANOTHER GOP ESTABLISHMENT PLOY?
On Tuesday, Republican Party’s paragon of leadership, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell along with Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley announced that there will be no confirmation hearings for an Obama choice for Supreme Court Justice to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
There are some, including your humble correspondents, who are mildly surprised at the Republican establishment taking such a strong-appearing position on an issue certain to be controversial.
Already the move has attracted the criticism and condemnation of liberals, and media pundits across the political spectrum. Fox News’ Greta Van Sustern, chipped in early with her assessment of the GOP’s action, calling it “petty”.
The Wall Street Journal calls it a “break with “decades long tradition”.
According to McConnell. the “nomination will be determined by whoever wins the presidency in the fall”.
In the coming days and weeks, Americans can expect to hear growing and thunderous criticism and condemnation by Democrats, liberals, and Republicans, pseudo-conservatives, and the “moderate”, thoughtful GOP office holders, particular Senators in tight races and folks like Lindsey Graham and we’re guessing, eventually, John McCain.
Haven’t yet read what George Will thinks about it but we surely will. Any guesses?
Pardon us at Veritaspac for a certain amount of skepticism about the GOP Senate leadership’s newfound assertion of its Constitutional prerogatives, however.
We are persuaded that, if given only modest odds, we’d bet that Mitch and Reince, and Karl, and Lindsey, and the rest of the GOP establishment, will eventually abandon their tough battle at the sound of the earliest “incoming”.
In fact, we are not completely convinced that sooner rather than later, the Senate majority will fold and call for hearings . . . all as part of the typical establishment “strategy”! That said we do have some reserve of hope for Chuck Grassley’s word on the matter of a SCOTUS nomination.* But how long would he hold out, when taken aside by Mitch, you know, for the good of the party, with the political situation “evolving” and all?
We believe there is a strong possibility that the Republicans will “endure’ withering criticism from all corners for a few weeks, then reverse their “strong stand” in the “best interests of the nation” and in line with the traditions on which the country was founded…or some such gibberish.
For now, the “strategy” is to take this stand and emphasize the absolute necessity for the Party to “come together” and ensure the nomination of THE MOST ELECTABLE CANDIDATE! (Guess who? Initials MR!)
Then, with Marco’s nomination secured, the Establishment will accede to Mr. Obama so that the GOP can protect and secure their majorities in the House and Senate. That has been the strategy of late. Run to the center after their boy’s nomination is in the bag.
Why should we not anticipate more failure theater . . . “we tried mightily, you saw it, we held out as long as we could?” What could possibly go wrong with more of that!?
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley’s useful statement can be read here “Biden Rules”.
