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DefenseLawyer

(11,101 posts) Sat Feb 13, 2016, 06:51 PM Feb 2016

A counterintuitive idea about the Senate Republicans

There is a decent chance the Republicans could lose their Senate majority in the fall. It is also more likely than not that they will lose the Presidential election (not a certainty by any means but more than 50%). So with those considerations, is it possible that Senate Repubicans would rather get a moderate now than a liberal later, such that they might not totally obstruct? I'm not endorsing the idea, it's just a thought.

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A counterintuitive idea about the Senate Republicans (Original Post) DefenseLawyer Feb 2016 OP

I was thinking the same C_U_L8R Feb 2016 #1

Even if they lose the senate they can still filibuster a nomination unless we get to 60. RichVRichV Feb 2016 #2

The "nuclear option" could dispense with the filibuster DefenseLawyer Feb 2016 #3

True, but it's called the nuclear option because no one wants to use it. RichVRichV Feb 2016 #4

I agree. They'll pick sooner than later Android3.14 Feb 2016 #5

C_U_L8R

(45,003 posts)

1. I was thinking the same

Reply to DefenseLawyer (Original post)

Sat Feb 13, 2016, 06:56 PM

Feb 2016

Their obstruction now could very well be their undoing. I can't imagine a bigger political gift to us... If our party plays it right.

RichVRichV

(885 posts)

2. Even if they lose the senate they can still filibuster a nomination unless we get to 60.

Reply to DefenseLawyer (Original post)

Sat Feb 13, 2016, 07:01 PM

Feb 2016

So I'm not sure they're all obstructed out just yet.

DefenseLawyer

(11,101 posts)

3. The "nuclear option" could dispense with the filibuster

Reply to RichVRichV (Reply #2)

Sat Feb 13, 2016, 07:07 PM

Feb 2016

I agree that it's not likely in their plans, but it is something to think about.

RichVRichV

(885 posts)

4. True, but it's called the nuclear option because no one wants to use it.

Reply to DefenseLawyer (Reply #3)

Sat Feb 13, 2016, 07:20 PM

Feb 2016

It could end up hurting us as much as helping us down the road. I think it would have to be a long protracted obstruction with all other options exhausted before they would consider it.

Android3.14

(5,402 posts)

5. I agree. They'll pick sooner than later

Reply to DefenseLawyer (Original post)

Sat Feb 13, 2016, 08:19 PM

Feb 2016

Neither party wants the next president to choose the replacement. We don't want Trump doing it, and they don't want Sanders or Clinton making the choice.

They will find a replacement in less than ten months, and maybe much less.

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