IT IS NOW SO OBVIOUS.

[no_hypocrisy]

Brett Kavanaugh clerked for Justice Kennedy and the two have been close friends ever since. Justice Kennedy swore in Kavanaugh to the Court of Appeals. So here’s my theory: Justice Kennedy wanted Kavanaugh to be his successor, and decided to retire only after assurances from Trump that he would pick Kavanaugh. The Administration’s leaks about the others supposedly under consideration were merely part of Trump’s reality show. It was going to be Kavanaugh all along.

[mercuryblues]

1. 1 problem with that -

When has trump ever kept a promise?

[Will O Wisp]

6. When it benefits him.

Forget keeping friends close and enemies closer. This is truly a reach around set of rules.

[NewJeffCT]

18. Welcome to DU

Yes, it will benefit Trump.

And, if Trump did not name Kennedy's preferred choice, I don't think he's legally bound by a resignation letter. He could say, "After discussing with my family, I have decided to rescind my resignation and stay on the court for at least one more year."

[madaboutharry]

2. I think so too.

It was all just for show. The other judges who were interviewed are intelligent people and I would think they all picked up on the charade. Everything this White House, this president does is a con.

[NewJeffCT]

20. That's why Avenatti is calling him #DonTheCon

on Twitter

[moondust]

3. Yep.

Inside job.

Probably included a confidential guarantee not to allow anything bad to happen to Drumpf.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

12. This is politics... If it's not an inside job, it's an accident

Last edited Tue Jul 10, 2018, 08:32 PM - Edit history (1)

[hughee99]

19. Exactly, because Kennedy has the power to make

Sure of that.

[FBaggins]

4. I doubt it, but why would it matter?

I have no doubt that Ginsburg would retire today if she were convinced that her successor would be someone who clerked for her and whose judgment she trusted. Nor would I be upset if she did.

Kavanaugh was the odds-on favorite from the beginning... so much so that when his name was not on "the list" prior to the election, many court watchers were stunned and his name was quickly added.

[joshcryer]

9. Yep, he laid low and stayed in the judgeship.

If anything this appointment is one of Trumps few appointments that is appointing someone from their respective field, as opposed to some crony.

It's really going to be the least controversial appointment out there.

[Scarsdale]

14. He thinks presidents

can do no wrong. They can not be charged no matter what they do! THAT is why he is the chosen one.

[FBaggins]

29. It's likely that all nine justices agree

It isn't that Presidents are above the law... it's that they can't be prosecuted while they are in office... You impeach and remove them instead.

If the President shoots someone at dinner... you impeach and remove him and THEN you can prosecute him for the crime.

[BlueJac]

5. the fix is in!

can't stand these people

[jimlup]

7. I think that is partially correct but...

I don't think the assurances part is likely true. Simply a strong suggestion to both. We can't substantiate the "assurances" and it is likely not true so we shouldn't go full bore on that one.

[TNNurse]

8. Well, we knew he would choose the worst possible choice.

He focuses on the person who can do the most damage.

Does anyone know of a list of things Kavanaugh said about Obama when he was in office???? They should have the same beliefs about him and his immunity from scrutiny.

[Cracklin Charlie]

10. You may be right.

But I knew Kavanaugh was the pick last week when I saw a picture of Kavanaugh with Paul Manafort and others.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. Kennedy is equally concerned about what Mueller's investigation will reap.

His son's banker business with Trump might reveal some ugly transactions. So Kavanaugh will be a selected fixer for everyone's problems.

[dalton99a]

17. Bingo

[Hortensis]

24. Can't help wondering. That a justice's son

would associate in business with a habitual crook like Trump is astonishing in itself. The mere fact that an association exists at all suggests the son's standards of behavior and judgement are inadequate.

[duforsure]

13. But was Kennedy blackmailed out of his position on the court?

Did trump have something on Kennedy or his son to use to force him out with?

[heaven05]

15. now the fight begins

Democrats? Hopefully, our leaders will find a way to throw a monkey wrench into the plans of trump, bannon, gorka and the NPA to deport Muslims, cause misery and terror for thousands of asylum seekers and save the life of hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent, unarmed brown people, AA especially, from violent death at the hands of the brownshirts of the NPA. They are roaming the streets of amerika in squad cars, under state authority of badge and gun and as the racist civilian seen as barbeque Becky's, swimming pool Pattie's and Paul, and zimmerman clones. Shit is going to hit the fan.

[no_hypocrisy]

16. More evidence

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210849781

[LittleGirl]

21. well, you didn't expect him to pick a woman did you? eom

[Amishman]

28. I think part of the sideshow was to groom Barrett in case something happens to RBG

Build the name recognition and sound out the potential lines if attack.

[lutherj]

22. This article seems to confirm your theory:

https://www.alternet.org/bombshell-supreme-court-justice-anthony-kennedy-agreed-retire-if-trump-promised-replace-him-brett

[dalton99a]

23. +1

[world wide wally]

25. Is Trump the first criminal ever that is allowed to appoint his own jury?

...and then have it approved by Congress?

[Hortensis]

26. So,.then, were Kavanaugh's stated opinions that

that presidents cannot constitutionally even be legally investigated, much less indicted, less of a factor than Kennedy's supposed liking for Kavanaugh as his successor?

Note that there's nothing wrong with a justice agreeing to resign if he knows and is satisfied with who his successor will be. But there would be plenty wrong with colluding in obstruction of justice and with putting a president above the law for political or personal purposes.

That may just be my biggest understatement in the past decade.

[neohippie]

27. It appears this was all planned

Link to tweet