Senate's McConnell on mission to reshape the courts

[libertybele]

Who would have thought ... McConnell is actually leaving behind a legacy of reshaping the courts.  Who would have thought? He did hold strong on Garland.  Interesting indeed.

Senate's McConnell on mission to reshape the courts

 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was upbeat the night after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he was retiring from the Supreme Court.

The Kentucky Republican had already led the Senate in confirming more circuit court judges in the first year of Donald Trump's presidency than in that of any other president in history. Now McConnell had the chance to confirm a second Supreme Court justice, a thrilling prospect for his party.

More than any other accomplishment, including the passage of the GOP's tax cuts, the remaking of the judiciary is fast becoming the cornerstone of the Republican leader's legacy. It's something he's been working on for a long time.

"Well, I think it's a little too early to be talking about legacy," McConnell said with a smile as he left the Senate chamber.

"A year and a half ago, I said it was a top priority," he said about confirming judges, "and it remains so."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/senates-mcconnell-mission-reshape-courts-125700684--politics.html

[TomSea]

Also:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/07/us/politics/trump-mcconnell-supreme-court.html

McConnell Tries to Nudge Trump Toward Two Supreme Court Options (Kethledge and Hardiman)
NY Times

Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, told President Trump this past week that Judges Raymond M. Kethledge and Thomas M. Hardiman presented the fewest obvious obstacles to being confirmed to replace Justice Anthony M. Kennedy on the Supreme Court, according to Republican officials briefed on the conversation.

While careful not to directly make the case for any would-be justice, Mr. McConnell made clear in multiple phone calls with Mr. Trump and the White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, that the lengthy paper trail of another top contender, Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, would pose difficulties for his confirmation. 

Just posting, the above does not mean it's necessarily true. Probably is though.

[libertybele]

IF President Trump nominates a moderate he will lose a tremendous amount of credibility. 

[Oceander]

IF President Trump nominates a moderate he will lose a tremendous amount of credibility. 

That all depends on whom you ask.  He will gain credibility with others. 

[Cyber Liberty]

Also:
Just posting, the above does not mean it's necessarily true. Probably is though.

Trump and McConnell would be foolish to not talk about it. 

[cato potatoe]

I'm for giving credit where credit is due.  The Democrats royally pissed off the Turtle, and he won't let go until it thunders.

[skeeter]

IF President Trump nominates a moderate he will lose a tremendous amount of credibility.

It ought to be clear to Trump by now that staying the course he's on - sticking to conservative positions consider too 'extreme' by previous republican presidents - is far more likely to enhance his popularity with the hoi poloi than to kowtow to the middle.

[Bigun]

It ought to be clear to Trump by now that staying the course he's on - sticking to conservative positions consider too 'extreme' by previous republican presidents - is far more likely to enhance his popularity with the hoi poloi than to kowtow to the middle.

I heartily concur!  100%

[Emjay]

IF President Trump nominates a moderate he will lose a tremendous amount of credibility.

@libertybele  I've noticed before that you seem leery about Trump's appointee.  He's insisted he will stick to 'the list' and I don't think he will renege on that.  I don't think you need to worry.

[Emjay]

I'm for giving credit where credit is due.  The Democrats royally pissed off the Turtle, and he won't let go until it thunders.

A while back there was a huge turtle on the rocks at the shore and some clueless parents were letting their kids tease and torment it.  I was hoping that the turtle would bite ... not seriously but enough to teach the parents a lesson.

Don't tick off a turtle.

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

It ought to be clear to Trump by now that staying the course he's on - sticking to conservative positions consider too 'extreme' by previous republican presidents - is far more likely to enhance his popularity with the hoi poloi than to kowtow to the middle.

Exactly the message their base has been literally Screaming at them for decades. The 1st big bright ray of "WOW, they've Finally seen the Light" I saw was the day Trump told Priebus "You're Fired! Get Out!"