GOP warns Obama over SCOTUS litmus test on Citizens United

[kpete]

Source: The Hill

GOP warns Obama over SCOTUS litmus test on Citizens United
By Susan Crabtree - 04/13/10 12:16 PM ET

The landmark Citizens United case has become a flash point in the ideological fight over President Barack Obama’s next Supreme Court choice.

Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) took to the Senate floor Tuesday to warn Obama that if he uses the campaign-finance ruling as a litmus test in selecting a nominee for the high court, he would face serious Republican opposition. The tough words followed reports that Obama could be searching for a candidate willing to work to overturn the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited funds on individual campaigns.

“You don’t go on to the bench saying, ‘I’m always going to be against the big guy,' ” Kyl said, referring to Chief Justice John Roberts. Kyl did not mention the word "filibuster" directly but made the comments in the context of when a filibuster would be justified.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/91887-kyl-warns-obama-over-scotus-litmus-test-on-citizens-case

[quiet.american]

1. Kyl - yawn. Like you GOP fools are not going to be complete f*ckwits over this anyway. nt

[Orrex]

2. Well, the G.O.P can G.O.F itself.

If Obama nominates a candidate who even knows where the left side of the aisle is, Republicans will filibuster.

The current threat is meaningless because it's what they were going to do in any case.

[ShockediSay]

9. Time for the nuclear option; if overturning 100 yrs of precedent on idealogical

grounds, the exception set by gang of X over Alito and Roberts,
?affiliated w/ The Facist leaning Federalist Society, IMO in violation
of the Federal Judicial Code of Conduct ....
if this is not an exceptional circumstance, I don't know what
is. Time to grab/frame their ploy immediately and get our guy in as
quickly as possible.

[Democat]

3. So the GOP litmus test for a candidate is that a nominee must support the decision?

Isn't that what the article basically says?

[AlbertCat]

14. So the GOP litmus test for a candidate is that a nominee must support the decision?

EGG-Zackly!

Project much?

We can clearly see that Repug nominees have to pass a GOP litmus test by the actions of their already confirmed picks...like Roberts and Scalia.

[WillParkinson]

4. My problem with this....

The United States Supreme Court is 'supposed' to be above ideological things. Unfortunately, as we all know, that's not possible.

Mr. Obama should not try to legislate from the high bench by putting people in there specifically for that reason.

My Kyl, on the other hand, should not assume that the President is attempting to do that. I believe he is saying this as part of the G.O.P. tactic of fear mongering.

Of course I'm well aware that no one can be completely non-partisan. That said, I certainly hope Mr. Obama will be looking for people who put the people ahead of everything else. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

[Arkana]

5. And when Obama read this, he yawned widely, crumpled up the letter, and skyhooked it

into the nearest garbage can.

The President will nominate whoever he likes based on whatever criteria he likes, Mr. Kyl.

[Joey Liberal]

6. Fuck the GOP nt

[Renew Deal]

7. Isn't the country 90% opposed to that decision?

Kyl is clearly on the fringe

[SargeUNN]

8. Here is Kyl's number if you want to call as I did

Phone: [phone] I called and asked them, "Why do you think this threat means anything? McCain has stated the Republicans will not work with Obama on anything and so why does Kyl think this threat is of any value? I am tired of this partian babble and tired of those who want to act like it is a football game, it is time to take care of real problems."

[jaysunb]

10. " GOP warns Obama ? "

:evilfrown:

[DallasNE]

11. Why Not Dred Scott While The GOP Is At It

Throw in Bush v. Gore as well. The more hideous the decision the stronger the GOP support.

The use of the filibuster on the Supreme Court would be a first too. Robert Bork lost an up and down vote. Clarence Thomas was confirmed with just 53 votes rather than a filibuster proof 60. Neither Roberts nor Alito were subject to a filibuster. This would be a great way to fire up the Democratic base so I expect that this is nothing but bravada.

[freebrew]

32. I wonder....

could a righteous court overturn * v Gore?

Then maybe this whole nightmare would just go away?

[fascisthunter]

12. yeah, unlike their fascist litmus test....

[Mr. Sparkle]

13. Surely this will put the republicans in a awkward situation with their so called base.

That ruling was a fascists dream. It was slightly worryingly how openly the republicans have embraced it and how little blow back they got.

imho, it should be used as a stick to bet them over with, until it gets repealed or watered down.

[harun]

21. It's the Corpo-fascist's greatest victory. Obama would do very

well to ensure he picks someone who disagrees with it. No real Conservative would think that decision is a good one. It is giving more power to Corporations and less to individuals. A real (old school) Conservative would state such.

[HillWilliam]

15. Excuse me, Senator Kyl

Just who the fuck do you think you are? Your side has no business "warning" anybody about anything.

First of all, we had a fair and square election in November of 2008. Your side lost. Big. Get over it, as your side ever-so enjoyed telling us for about 14 years while you ran roughshod over us.

Second of all, in that decade-plus, your side proved itself to have the Ex Lax Touch. You know what that is? It's the diametric opposite of the Midas Touch, whereby everything you Republicans have touched has turned to shyte. We've had quite enough of that, thank you.

Now go somewhere and sit down.

[SpiralHawk]

16. "If Republicons continue to use the 'Faux Family Values Wide-Stance Diaper Bondage' test, then..."

...we will continue to be disgustipated with them and their rank hypocrisy."

- The honorable citizens of the United States of America

[earcandle]

17. I think these guys are confused and think they are the BIG guys when we outnumber them. We don't

need confused people in congress.  Get rid of those old men
who have rigid eye wear and cannot see the forest from the
trees. 

[CLANG]

18. And a big ol' F U to U 2!!

[bowens43]

19. GOP opposition?

there's a shocker.......

[CLANG]

20. I think repukes and teabaggers alike need to know

that the repuke leaders agree that corporations should be allowed to continue to destroy America.

[dchill]

22. Jon Kyl, huh?

Why do I smell pee?

[Vermontgrown]

23. So this is what it comes down to.

The repukes warning the United States commander and chief about what they're going to do. John Roberts needs to be impeached. His decision was based on politics, specifically right wing politics. The Supreme court needs to be loaded with Liberal leaning judges that care about what is right and what is wrong, not about what's in it for me. I always thought John Roberts had an agenda based on politics.

[AlbertCat]

29. I always thought John Roberts had an agenda based on politics.

So did everyone else on the planet... which is why he had to state he wouldn't let such a thing effect his decisions. He lied...under oath.... obviously. He should not be, at least, chief justice.... and at most, a judge at all.

[Old and In the Way]

24. Citizen's United was the GOP gift from SCOTUS

They can longer raise sufficient funds from their base to compete with Democrats. So they needed help from the SCOTUS Republican majority to make corporate contributions to political elections unlimited.

Won't the rube-y red Republican base be surprised when Republicans line up, once again, to support the rights of corporations over the individual....

[Cha]

25. President Obama will go about

choosing his SC nominee as he sees fit..without any input from the party of Health NO.

[ej510]

26. This is how they raise money.

[Cha]

30. Yes, I've seen how they raise money..poor little

suckers who contribute to the bloodsuckers.

[mvd]

27. Stop the bullying, Repukes

Up or down vote! This could be an issue that backfires on them. All THEY want is someone who gets in and is always against the little guy.

[The Wizard]

28. Yet another example

of why no one cares what Republicans have to say unless it's under oath, and no one believes them even if it is under oath.
As long as Democrats act like weak kneed losers when they have the majority the Republicans will walk all over them.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

31. More vapid threats from the Grumpy Old Pathetic losers.

I'm surprised that the morons like Kyl don't call a press conference just to announce that they are going to filibuster the clothes that Pres. Obama wears.

Is this going to be another Jim DeMint "Waterloo" moment for the Repukes where they think that if they take a stand against Obama then the people will love them again? Other than the US Chamber of Commerce, did anyone support the SCOTUS decision on the Citizens United case?

What a bunch of classless and clueless losers the Repukes are.

[loki341]

33. GOP might not support the President's nominee.... OMG no way!!!!!

I have a feeling that if Obama nominated Benito Mussolini, the GOP would see him as a liberal ideologue and possible Communist because he might have given a guy a quarter once to make a phone call. At this point I say let them filibuster, but make them actually filibuster and expose them for just how petty and divisive they are.

[mvd]

34. Welcome to DU, loki!

:hi:

[Vidar]

35. Screw you & your miserable opposition, Mr. Kyl!

[No Elephants]

36. Like Democrats warned Republicans about not making Roe v. Wade a litmus test and Dummya claimed he

had no litmus test (but appointed two devout Catholics)?

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz.

Sometimes, I wish I could get into D.C. Kabuki Theater.