Antonin Scalia has died.
One of the brilliant conservative minds in America, he has been a voice for reason, for the Constitution, and for the protection of life.
This is a tragedy of epic proportions, for his family and for this nation. There has been a razor-thin balance on the court with four conservatives, four hard-core liberals, and a swing vote.
Scalia was not just a conservative vote but a brilliant mind and forceful advocate for sanity in our nation’s judicial system.
Now, one of two things is going to happen.
1. Barack Obama, the most pro-death, abortion loving, constitution – averse president I’ve seen will appoint a replacement for the most conservative voice on the court.
2. The appointment will be bumped till after the election and the stakes of the 2016 vote will go up dramatically.
It would be hard to over-estimate the significance if this sad moment.
If Obama, Hillary, or Sanders appoint the next justice our courts will turn left so dramatically we will get cricks in our necks.
After a little reading, it appears that option 2 is the more likely. Evidently it is normal, when a vacancy comes up on the Court, to wait until after the election to fill it. With the Republican Senate, it is unlikely that we are going to have an Obama appointment.
This makes the 2016 election more important than ever.
Personally, I think Ted Cruz would make a GREAT justice.
Agreed. Cruz for Associate Justice.
Agreed – AJ of SCOTUS would be a nice fall back. 😉
Yes.. Option 2, and this will certainly make the political race heat up dramatically.
Dave, I disagree with you on a lot of things but, you couldn’t be more right about this. I hope option 2 happens because then at least we have a chance. In any event, we just have to remember that God is always in control.
Whether it is for weal or woe, God is absolutely sovereign and will accomplish HIS will for the United States in this appointment as in all things. I fear the continuing judgment of God upon our Nation. In this upcoming act of Divine Providence, we will learn much about the future of America. While it is true that “Americans” can be saved, it may be too late for America to be saved. Let us pray that this is not the case!
Lanny, Quite an interesting myriad of Political Science comments, opinions and ideas. I’ve made a point of taking time to read through. I appreciate what you wrote. While “America at large” doesn’t seem to share your opinion nor want too, this is from one who does.” In my humble opinion, as one who grew up in the 1960’s, I was saved at a young age. I’ve had plenty of personal observations, to see God began to remove His Hand of favor from America, when prayer was removed from schools. The slippery slope of satan’s activity began and has only gained… Read more »
It is a sad day for his family and our great nation. I have prayed for his family. Our nation lost a man who brought honor to the Supreme Court and honored the constitution.
I would not be surprised if Pres Obama were to name a justice, I expect him to. If he does and the Republicans block the appointment this could be a disaster for the Republican nominee.
It will certainly be an issue…perhaps THE issue…of the election.
Puts abortion on the map.
A great man has died. Apparently Obama can appoint a justice during a recess which will happen on Jan 3rd. The earth has just moved under conservatives feet.
Recess appointments are not permanent. They require an affirming vote within a year.
A lot of damage could be done in a year.
Nope. Senate will not recess. This was litigated and Obama lost, 9-0.
Cruz, I speculate is unelectable to the presidency and un-confirmable as a SCOTUS nominee. Other senators hate him, remember.
Abortion has been on the map for over 40 years.
Regardless, The greatest show on earth just got more interesting.
I would think they would be glad to get him out of the senate any way they can. Most of the senators could care less who is on the supreme court.
By the way, the Senate is in recess right now according to fox news.
“. . . The greatest show on earth just got more interesting.”
Yep, but with a killer twist for a grand finally. . . . only problem, the admission tickets will be very expensive.
Rest assured – if the conservatives hold firm and do not confirm any nominee that the president may put up – I am certain that they will not go in official recess on January 3 – There are parliamentary ways around that. 9-0 the SCOTUS has already ruled in congress’ favor should that parliamentary action be taken.
Abandoning all pretense of fairness, of balance, whatever… Obama has done a lot of damage to our nation in his 7 years as president – with his unprecedented support of abortion, his craven switch on marriage which ushered in same sex marriage as the law of the land, his hostility toward religious freedom, his bad laws such as Obamacare and the list is long! But the appointment of a replacement Antonin Scalia from the radical leftist spectrum you would expect – who would ignore the constitution and make law according to leftist whim – would be a disaster beyond anything… Read more »
Most of the liberal agenda has come through courts; not legislation….and that is without unfettered control of the court. We will look like Europe in less than ten years if God does not help us in this dark hour.
Agreed.
Evangelicals need to start arguing that the next appointee should be of their tribe…the court is loaded with catholics but no evangelicals. At least make the argument. Make the media and politicians explain for the next nine months why evangelicals should not have someone from their tribe (37% of Americans) on the court.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Rachel Held Evans.
In other words, “Evangelical” doesn’t mean enough to guarantee us much of anything.
Bingo, Bart. I was trying to think of an example of an “evangelical” person – but the one that you posted nails it pretty well!
Jimmy Carter would be another but we have to at least make the argument.
A “true” evangelical would cause a national scandal for believing that homosexuality is a sin and that Jesus is the only way to heaven.
I take back my previous statement – it turns out that Congress is in an actual recession right now – and the previous decision of Scotus would not affect a rhesus appointment – in other words President Obama could do a recess appointment in the next week or so if he chooses.
Given Obama’s tendency to Thump any form of check and balance…
I suggest that Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan call their bodies back to order post haste.
Appointment of a rhesus monkey would be better than a left winger, Tarheel.
That or an Amazon River Cannibal. He would at least have an alternate plan for hardened criminals.
Carson would make a good Supreme Court Judge. Cruz for President.
David
“Carson would make a good Supreme Court Judge”
Why?
To do brain surgery on the rest.
CB,
lol. Yes, and that, too.
David
Hey, C.B., I like that!
John
Bill Mac,
He’s extremely intelligent, and very conservative.
David
David: Perhaps so, but that isn’t nearly enough qualification to be on the Supreme Court. Would you put Rush Limbaugh on the Supreme Court?
I would think the absence of being a bar credentialed lawyer might create problems for even the most intelligent potential appointees ( be they surgeons or talk show hosts) – For thier being appointed to the Supreme Court.
I would think that you would at least need a community college degree in Political Science and the knowledge that the US Constitution is not a living, breathing document. It was meant to be interpreted as written and amended as necessary through the legislative process.
Tarheel: Exactly. There apparently is no specific requirement of being a lawyer, but one must be schooled in the law, and in this age I cannot see a non-lawyer being nominated for the court.
As for Carson, frankly, the more I see of him the less impressed I am with him. I would trust him to do surgery but that’s about it.
” I would trust him to do surgery but that’s about it.” Bill Mac, When I read that statement, I about spewed my Pepsi Max all over my desk. That is the funnest line I have heard or read all week. Say, you don’t want the guy to be a judge, but you would let him work on you with a sharp knife while you are asleep? Bill Mac, I must admit you are a true patriot. You would not trust a guy to stand guard over the nation’s high court, but you will let the same guy cut holes… Read more »
CB: Glad I could brighten your day! 😉
Gotta let people play to their strengths. I trust Dave Miller to moderate a blog but I wouldn’t hire him as a fashion adviser.
I like Carson’s conservatism, and he is a highly intelligent man. So, yes, I would like to see him sitting on the highest court in the land. I think it would be great to see Rush, as a Judge on the Supreme Court. Rush’s Dad was a Judge in Cape Girardeau, MO.
BTW, does someone HAVE to have a law degree to be a Supreme Court Justice? Is it required?
David
As far as I could tell, a law degree is not required, but rather someone schooled in the law. However given the complexity of cases argued before the court, I think it would be impossible these days to get someone in who didn’t have a law degree. A person may lean right or left, but their decisions have to be rooted in law, not just political preference. At least that’s the theory.
There is nothing in Article 3 that requires a Supreme Court Justice to be a lawyer, however, in the entire history of this country, every single justice has been.
Which is why you don’t look as good as I do day by day.
If Obama would wait, Hillary might appoint HIM! (shudder) I keep hoping that the Republican candidates will stop shooting at each other, trump Trump, and make a serious run against Madam Secretary … lest weird stuff like this really happens in a Hillary presidency. There is a precedent of a former president serving on SCOTUS: William Howard Taft. When asked about this possibility at a recent event in Iowa, Hillary said: “Wow, what a great idea. No one has ever suggested that to me, I love that, wow. He may have a few other things to do, but I tell… Read more »
Max,
If such a thing were to become reality, it will be worse than the most evil concoction boiled to its deadly perfection in the cauldron of a fairy-tale witch. It would be a brew so devastating that no prince, be he GOP or DNC could kiss away. We would become a nation cursed to be frogs forever.
“Now as you enter into this land, I want you to remember Me. After you have eaten and are full, do not forget the Lord.”
There’s only one way to reverse the curse, but I don’t see God’s people praying as they ought. Thus, we are predestined to be frogs subject to the witch’s brew with no kiss in sight.
Thanks to Bill Mac for pointing out that I had Antonio instead if Antonin in the piece.
Not to pass the buck, but I did this on my phone and will pin the blame for tgat solely on my phone and autocorrect.
autocorrect is toy story, for sure
autocorrect is teradactyl, for sure.
autocorrect is terrible, for sure
No lawyer credentials required for SCOTUS. I nominate David Worley. If he declines, then I’d fall back on most any SBC pastor, since most are experts in constitutional law anyway.
They’d have to sew a bigger robe.
David
I am not a head in the sand on this, but neither am I up in arms. That isn’t to suggest this thread is either.
Let the POTUS nominate–that’s all it is & that’s what he’s empowered to do.
Let the Senate postpone or reject–that’s what they are empowered to do.