President Trump nominates Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court

[Honeycombe8]

Source: CNN

President Trump announced from the White House East Room that he is nominating Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Kennedy on the Supreme Court.

Kavanaugh was confirmed to his position on the Court of Appeals for DC on May 26, 2006, about 12 years ago. The 53-year-old worked in the Bush administration and also for independent counsel Kenneth Starr in the investigation that eventually led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.

Kavanaugh has a history of conservatives votes in areas concerning presidential authority, the Second Amendment and religious liberty.

However, some social conservatives — while refusing to go on the record — criticized two of his opinions: one dealing with the Affordable Care Act and a second about an undocumented pregnant teen who sought an abortion.



Read more: https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-supreme-court-nominee/index.html

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He worked on the Starr Report. Look him up in Wikipedia. It says in part, "Kavanaugh was nominated to the D.C. Appeals Court by Bush in 2003. His confirmation hearings were contentious and stalled for three years over charges of partisanship. Kavanaugh was ultimately confirmed in May 2006 after a series of negotiations between Democratic and Republican senators."

He comes from a wealthy background. A prep school kid. An only child.

On the plus side, he is Catholic. Catholics have been discriminated against in our country in the past. One negative side, devout Catholics are strongly anti-abortion and even anti-birth control.

[rufnear]

1. Interesting

Thought for sure Amy Coney Barret was going to be his nominee choice based on some mis-spoken pronouns used in earlier press conferences.

[totodeinhere]

10. Barret is his next pick according to reports.

This is terrifying. Trump may well get one or two more picks, whereas Jimmy Carter had zero.

[Mr.Bill]

16. If we take back the Senate,

Trump is done picking judges. Any judges.

[totodeinhere]

20. Lets hope. But it's a tough chore since we are defending so many more seats.

But we need to work hard to win Senate seats.

[Honeycombe8]

27. Why would Trump get more picks? Is someone else leaving? Ginsburg? nt

[christx30]

32. Ginsberg is 85.

I’m sure she’ll hang on as long as she can, but unless she’s the first immortal justice, she won’t be there forever. I don’t imagine she will want to pass away on the bench.

[Honeycombe8]

37. I wanted her to retire during the Obama administration.

I respect her right not to. But I thought she'd probably have to retire sooner rather than later, so I thought she probably should do it during Obama's administration, for the country.

Oh, well.

[Mr.Bill]

33. Realistically, you have to look at it this way,

anyone over 50 can drop dead tomorrow. It happens every day.

[Honeycombe8]

35. True. nt

[totodeinhere]

38. And unfortunately this also applies to the Democratic appointees on the court.

n/t

[Calista241]

46. I think Thomas will retire if the Repubs retain control of the Senate. n/t

[Honeycombe8]

47. Why? Has he said something? He's only 70.

Not that old for a S.Ct. Justice.

[totodeinhere]

52. The theory is that if it looks like a Democrat will win in 2020 then Thomas

might retire before then so that his replacement will be nominated by trump, not a future Democrat.

[Honeycombe8]

54. Oh. That's assuming Thomas puts country before himself.

I don't know. Would he? Hmmm. Ginsburg did not. It's a cushy job. They don't work that many hours, it's prestigious, they're famous. When they go places, they get the red carpet rolled out. They also get paid well and get to wear that robe! Power and fame are heady.

However, Trump may make him "an offer he can't refuse."

[andytheteacher]

55. Thomas retiring next year I believe

My brother is a DC conservative lawyer type and he has no inside information but he tells me it's openly talked about that Thomas wants to retire, he would just like to be done working. People shouldn't have to work til their dead so I encourage him to retire in 2021.

[Honeycombe8]

56. Translation: Conservatives are scouting for a cushy position for him with a corporation....

some board position or something along those lines, where he doesn't have to work, but gets prestige, maybe voice his opinion, but gets a whopping big salary, benefits, and perks.

The S Ct is a cushy job. Nine months, and their staff do most of the work. The pay is good, but not great, I hear, for the prestigious and important job it is.

Thomas doesn't participate as much as the others, I've read. He asks few questions at hearings, and doesn't write many opinions (staffers write the opinions, under the supervision and editing of the Justice, I think).

[jayschool2013]

2. Lemme guess

White guy? Am I right?

[sandensea]

4. And a Hillary hater.

Kavanaugh, you'll recall, was one of Starr's most vicious inquisitors against Bill Clinton during the impeachment saga.

Knowing Cheeto and how utterly petty he is, this was probably what really sealed the deal for him.

[Honeycombe8]

5. Oh, yeah. For sure. Not just white...but very pale.

I mean, you can't get much whiter, skin-tone-wise.

[sandensea]

11. To me, it's not that he's white - it's that he's a right-wing ideologue.

Against civil rights, against civil liberties, and no doubt against choice.

The kind that believes that people should have as many rights as animals, and that corporations should have as many rights as people (but only if they give to the GOPee).

[Honeycombe8]

15. I agree about ideology. But I do think diversity is important.

It does depend on the person, though. I would love to replace Clarence Thomas with a person of any race or ethnicity who is even just moderate.

Someone who is a different race or ethnicity does bring a different viewpoint and different life experiences to the table. I think it's important.

Thank God Obama named women, and an Hispanic, to the bench. So we have SOME diversity, and some women.

[sandensea]

34. Absolutely.

Life experience may not determine our every opinion - but it certainly shapes them.

Someone who had a silver-spoon childhood, and has had his career fast-tracked for him mostly by virtue of his connections, is probably not going to be a humanist like William O. Douglas, Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or Sonia Sotomayor.

There are exceptions of course - but Kavanaugh certainly doesn't come across as one.

[Honeycombe8]

41. +1. Such a person simply doesn't have life experiences...

to understand what it is to be in a different position, have to struggle, what the law is from their point of view, and the like. The real life effect that a decision has on someone's life. That basis simply isn't there.

[sandensea]

42. And just as bad: Kavanaugh is apparently very much an imperial presidency type.

But only if said president is in the GOPee.

[Honeycombe8]

44. I heard them talking about that on CNN. And how that was probably ...

the deciding factor for Trump.

[sandensea]

45. I believe it.

Cheeto doesn't move a finger without thinking of himself first.

[Drake Notthesinger]

3. "Supreme" Court

Soon to become the Supremacist Court.

[EllieBC]

6. "History of conservative votes in area of presidential authority"

is all that is needed to be known. This is about Trump wanting a court that will back him while he tries to achieve Putin status as President.

[harun]

8. Pretty much

[Honeycombe8]

9. Well, on the plus side of that...

he argued before the S.Ct. years ago for the removal of Presidential Executive Privilege in the investigation of the Vince Foster death. He lost. The S.Sct. upheld the privilege.

But of course, all he'd say is that was a different set of facts. That's what they always say. Sometimes it's true.

He was a principal author of the Starr Report, and he recommended impeachment of Clinton.

So either he isn't against impeachment for minor offenses, or he is vigorously anti-Clinton. Or both.

[sandensea]

13. Kavanaugh believes in an imperial presidency - but only if the president is a Rethug.

If it's a Democrat, in Kavanaugh's mind, he (or she) must be subjected to Latin America-style judicial harassment.

[Honeycombe8]

7. Schumer has said he's been a political operative in the past.

Not his judgeships. But he's operated in the conservative political world. Hmmmm.

He HAS stated that he regards Roe v Wade as binding law, but has ruled in favor of some restrictions. (Wikipedia)

[EllieBC]

12. IMO, Roe is what matters most.

Without control of our reproductive systems, women have nothing. It's pretty much everything. Most of my family lives in the US and I do not want my fellow family members and friends who by biological and genetic lottery are women to lose everything by losing their right to control their bodies.

[Honeycombe8]

19. It's all important. But think giving corporations more and more power is crucial.

That has to do with everything else, including abortion. That's how the Repubs got so much power....the Citizens United decision. Secret PACs loaded with unlimited money from rich corporations.

[YOHABLO]

24. I'd say it's at the top of the list. They'll go after 'marriage equality' next.

The Christo-Fascists won't let this die. Congressional Democrats must get fierce.

[Raven123]

14. It is all about Trump. He thinks Kavanaugh will be a vote to protect him from Mueller

[AlexSFCA]

17. and don't forget trum is stacking federal and appeals courts

Does anyone keep track of that? Most cases will never reach SC.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

30. There is a list online

Last count I remember seeing is 42 Federal judges confirmed so far under Trump, 1 SCOTUS, 21 Court of Appeals, and 20 District judges. Mostly all young and conservative. If Kavanaugh is confirmed, that opens up another spot on the DC Court of Appeals, widely considered the 2nd more important court after SCOTUS.

[7962]

18. I think I'll go piss off a few friends on Fb & tell them Roe isnt going anywhere.

I dont believe this pick will do it.
I actually think if a valid case came before the court, Roberts would vote to keep precedent. Even if the "new guy" voted to reverse

[Honeycombe8]

22. The new guy has stated in the past that he thinks Roe is binding law.

So there is that. He could have changed his mind, though. And after being given the power to overturn it, he might jump at that chance, if he has strong anti-abortion feelings.

[Takket]

25. make sure they know........

drumpf betrayed their desire to overturn roe to put in place a judge to save his own ass.

might not be true (since i don't trust this guy to NOT overturn), but at least it should piss them off for now

[7962]

28. Another good point!

[totodeinhere]

53. Smart Republicans don't want to overturn Roe.

They would lose one of their most effective talking points. They would rather keep the anti-abortion crowd all riled up so they can keep getting their votes.

[7962]

57. Another darn good point!

Although the same could be said for some on this side; I've been hearing terrifying Roe ads ever since 1980

[catrose]

21. His confirmation would bring the Catholic total on the SC back to 5

He would join John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Sonia Sotomayor.
Anthony Kennedy was a Catholic also.

[Honeycombe8]

23. Really? I didn't know Robert & Thomas & Alito were Catholic.

Very interesting.

[catrose]

26. Yes. Some are rumored to be members of Opus Dei.

Obviously not Sotomayor. Kagan, Breyer, and Ginsburg are Jewish. Gorsuch is "undeclared," probably some variety of Protestant.

[Honeycombe8]

29. So why Kavanaugh? CNN talking heads offer some ideas.

The biggest one seems to be that he has a history of being strongly pro-Presidential authority & has stated that Presidents shouldn't be bothered with litigation, that a President could overturn something that some other agencies do, since those agencies in his opinion were usurping Presidential power. He's strongly pro-Presidential power.

Contrast that with how he urged the impeachment of Clinton for lying under oath (but come on, it was pretty minor...whether he'd had sex w/Lewinsky...and he fessed up...it wasn't like he gave a classified secret to Russians in the Oval Office). And how he argued for overruling Presidential executive privilege in trying to get documents & such regarding an investigation. But both of things involved CLINTON. So maybe he is just strongly anti-Clinton.

In Trump's mind...he gets an investigation into Clinton emails going again, then he gets an indictment, and it goes to the S.Ct.....where there sits a strongly anti-Clinton Justice. ???? Possible?

[elmac]

31. George W just made a statement

proclaimed his undying love for this guy, so we know its a bad pick.

[Snellius]

50. Friendship for Bush family may not endear him to Trump

Surprising Trump picked someone so close to Bush family. Kavanaugh's wife was also a personal secretary. They go back to the Texas days.

[Honeycombe8]

51. This is the strategy to ensure votes from the establishment Repubs...

while getting someone who will protect Trump from criminal charges & lawsuits.

Repubs are terrible at governing, but great at strategy to win whatever they're after.

Some conservative Dems may vote for this guy. Watch Manchin & the others.

Despite what Collins says, she ALWAYS votes for confirmation of Repub SCT nominees.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

36. Per the 538, Kavanaugh is just to the left of Thomas

[link:https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-brett-kavanaugh-would-change-the-supreme-court/|]

His confirmation would also jeopardize many state gun laws. He believes that strict scrutiny should be applied to the 2nd Amendment and has dissented against DC's Assault Weapon Ban and gun registration, saying they are unconstitutional.

[SamKnause]

39. (On the plus side, he is Catholic.)

On the plus side for whom ???

I would like to see Atheists on the Supreme Court.

Religion has too much influence and control over our government.

Religion has infested every nook and cranny in this government.

[Honeycombe8]

43. Catholic can be better than, say, Baptist.

Catholics have experienced discrimination in our country in the past. Kennedy was the first Catholic President, and it was a big deal. The KKK was anti-Catholic the same way it was anti-Jewish.

Hispanics are primarily Catholic.

OTOH, practicing Catholics can be strongly anti-abortion, and of course are used to authoritarianism because of the Pope. On the plus side, most Catholics, IMO, are not that devout. They're more loosey goosey.

[Ikeoftheprairie]

40. there may be a silver lining

Kavanaugh is a strict Constitutionalist. He looks at cases and he looks at the Constitution. He does believe that if a power is not granted to the federal government then it is relegated to the State. It may not be a bad thing. It does bring up why each individual state's elections are important. We have to control the rights of our states. He won't hear a case that he believes needs to be handled at the state level, he won't find standing for plaintiff. I know people won't want to hear this but he agrees with Ginsburg, the Roe v. Wade decision was poorly viewed and structured. It will come up for review (probably soon) and a more definitive decision will be made.

[Honeycombe8]

49. You understand that being a strict Constitutionalist is a bad thing, right?

Democrats believe the Constitution is a living document, as designed by the Founding Fathers, to be amended and interpreted as time goes by, as warranted. Think about it. The internet didn't exist at the time, vehicles, women couldn't vote, black people were slaves. It was enlarged to include equality for women and minorities, for example.

Ginsburg's criticism was that the decision was too much all at once. Time has cured that criticism.

Ginsburg is the Court's most ardent supporter of abortion rights. In no way would this guy come even close to having the same views as Ginsburg on the subject.

And yes, he's a bad thing. Why was he picked? Because he believes in the most Presidential power possible, and that Presidents can't be indicted. That's why. He's being put on the court to knock down any criminal charges against Trump, or civil litigation (although the latter is settled law...Presidents can be sued while in office). Trump is preparing for the inevitable findings of his immense criminal acts and the obstruction of justice acts he has done, as well as the charges of working with an adversarial foreign government to interfere with the government of the United States of America. And don't forget the business fraud. There's also the lawsuit that he is using the office of the President for his personal gain. And the lying to the public about critical matters. He is guilty of these things, judging from the evidence we know of.

What do you think should be done, when the report is issued showing all the things he's done? Do you think it's a good idea if he puts a loyalist in the S.Ct. to knock the charges down, when he's charged, or found liable in a lower court?

You do believe that the Constitution is a living document, to be amended on the rare occasion that our country sees fit, right?

[BlueStater]

48. Congratulations, dude.

Appointed to the Supreme Court by a racist, a sexual predator, and most likely a traitor to this country as well. What an honor.