General chat on Obama transition

[Defeated Romanticist]

Well the oldest (and liberal), Stevens, is 89 and no SC justice has served beyond 90. More than likely Obama will have to replace him during Term 1 but he will have to hope its before the 2011 session starts so as to have an okay shot at getting a pro-choice judge confirmed by the Senate. Assuming 57 Democratic Senators he should get his way with help from pro-choice Republicans Collins, Snowe and Specter, as long as he/she doesn't seem too restrictive on guns. The next oldest is Ginsburg (75) and is also a liberal, so she will probably be next, but maybe in a hypothetical term 2. Historically, judges prefer to retire when the president shares their ideology so as not to weaken its influence on the court. Remember that 41 Senators can fillibuster and that Arizona Senator John Kyl has already threatened to try it against Obama nominees, hence the importance of timing.

He can expect no help from the Republicans when it comes to the judges.

They will want vengence for Alito and Roberts' confirmation hearings.

They can't count on Spector because he is up for re-election in 2010 and nearly lost a primary last time. They can't count on pro-abortion Lisa Murkowski for the same reason but they could get the two from Maine.

There are a number of pro life Democrats two like Ben Nelson, Mark Pryor and Robert Casey could align with the Republicans, canceling out the Republicans the Democrats might get to vote with them.

[PhoenixIreland]

I don't know where this idea of a Supreme being difficult to confirm is coming from, unless you nominate a Bork you have no problem.

Roberts was confirmed 78-22
Stevens 98-0
Scalia 98-0
Kennedy 98-0
Souter 90-9
Gineberg 97-3
Breyer 87-9
Alito 58-42

The only one that was even close was Thomas 52-48

[Defeated Romanticist]

I don't know where this idea of a Supreme being difficult to confirm is coming from, unless you nominate a Bork you have no problem.

Roberts was confirmed 78-22
Stevens 98-0
Scalia 98-0
Kennedy 98-0
Souter 90-9
Gineberg 97-3
Breyer 87-9
Alito 58-42

The only one that was even close was Thomas 52-48

That's becasue Republicans understand that the constitution's role for the senate is to determine whether of not a candidate is going to follow your ideological dictats but whether he is qualified. The Republicans seemed to have ditched that now after the Democrats shenanigans last time.

[PhoenixIreland]

That's becasue Republicans understand that the constitution's role for the senate is to determine whether of not a candidate is going to follow your ideological dictats but whether he is qualified. The Republicans seemed to have ditched that now after the Democrats shenanigans last time.

The shenanigans of a 2/3 confirmation vote?

[FutureTaoiseach]

A warning sign in today's Rasmussen Congressional ballot (2010) poll, where the Democrats lead over the Republicans has fallen to 2%. The poll results show a fall in the Democrat vote, but not an increase in that of the Republicans. It underlines what I said about the SC and that Obama must hope whatever vacancies arise do so before 2011 when the 112th Congress meets.

Following an historic election in which Democrats won the White House and increased their control of Congress, voters appear to be adopting a wait-and-see attitude on granting ongoing control to the victorious party.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that, if given the choice, 43% of voters would choose their district’s Democratic candidate, while 41% would choose the Republican candidate. That’s the first post-election edition of the generic Congressional ballot and it’s the most competitive the Republicans have been in a couple of years. In the [COLOR=#0066cc]week leading up to Election Day[/COLOR], the Democrats held a six point advantage.
However, it’s important to note that the Republicans have not gained ground. Rather, support for the Democrats dropped four points.
Over the past year, Democratic support has ranged from a low of 43% to a high of 50%. Over that same time, Republicans have been preferred by 34% to 41% of voters nationwide. This week’s numbers match the best showing for Republicans and the weakest for the Democrats.
Voters not affiliated with either party now favor the Republicans by a 39% to 30% margin.
Men remained divided between the parties, favoring the GOP slightly by a 42% to 41% margin, while women favor the Democrats, 46% to 40%.
Voters under 30 prefer Democrats by a fourteen-point margin. Older voters are divided evenly between the parties.
Investors say they would vote Republican by a 45% to 40% margin, while non-investors heavily favor the Democrats, 52% to 32%. Government workers heavily favor the Democratic Party, while self-employed workers choose the GOP, 47% to 37%. Those who work for private companies and retirees are fairly evenly divided, while the unemployed heavily favor the Democratic Party.

[East Coast Elitist]

That's becasue Republicans understand that the constitution's role for the senate is to determine whether of not a candidate is going to follow your ideological dictats but whether he is qualified. The Republicans seemed to have ditched that now after the Democrats shenanigans last time.

Why would you think this? Been to a lot of U.S. Supreme Court Senate hearings lately for Democratic administration nominees? Rs can kick up all the dust they want...Fox can whinge and complain...I hope they go for it. Voters just LOVE those tactics.

[East Coast Elitist]

Thanks ECE I meant to mention the website and forgot, he seems to actually be serious about the open govt thing and using the net as a new way to communicate.

Do you ever read this site?

techPresident – How the candidates are using the web, and how the web is using them.

It's great not just for U.S. politics, but for anyone who's interested in the way governments can leverage technology.

[PhoenixIreland]

Do you ever read this site?

techPresident – How the candidates are using the web, and how the web is using them.

It's great not just for U.S. politics, but for anyone who's interested in the way governments can leverage technology.

Sure they both used it, but the O-Bomber "TOTALLY" had more myspace friends, loike ye know whatever.

[East Coast Elitist]

Sure they both used it, but the O-Bomber "TOTALLY" had more myspace friends, loike ye know whatever.

I totally know. 1,000,000 Strong for John McCain on Facebook never broke 200,000

But the site seem to be living beyond the campaign and is now talking about how the Obama & Co (and anyone in govt) might use technology to govern and build constituent communities. It's all so cool.

[PhoenixIreland]

I totally know. 1,000,000 Strong for John McCain on Facebook never broke 200,000

But the site seem to be living beyond the campaign and is now talking about how the Obama & Co (and anyone in govt) might use technology to govern and build constituent communities. It's all so cool.

I know I'm looking at the site.

Fireside chats? How about Youtube chats?