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Trump vows to select Ginsburg replacement 'without delay' – live Trump vows to select Ginsburg replacement 'without delay' – live
(32 minutes later)
President tweets about ‘most important’ dutyPresident tweets about ‘most important’ duty
Democrats have raised more than $31m in the 17 hours since supreme court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death was announced, according to a donation ticker on ActBlue, the party’s online fundraising platform.
Democrats have already registered record fundraising totals over the closing months of the 2020 presidential election season: more than 4m unique donors made 10,654,586 contributions on ActBlue in August, for a total of $485,400,545.
The party is now looking to leverage Ginsberg’s legacy in more than judicial terms. A separate Senate-focused democratic push specifically mentions Ginsburg’s impact.
“In this moment it is vital to give to Senate candidates,” reads an ActBlue fundraising page entitled Protect RBG’s Legacy. “Time to apply maximum pressure so that they do the right thing & refuse to vote to confirm before the 2020 election.”
Republicans, too, acted overnight. In Iowa, vulnerable Republican senator Joni Ernst sent out fundraising pleas shortly after Ginsburg’s death was announced.“BREAKING: The future of the Supreme Court is on the line,” Ernst’s campaign wrote in the subject line of an email blast.
“Our Conservative values and Constitutional rights are now on the line,” the email said. “The next Supreme Court nominee will shape major decisions for decades to come.”
After an online backlash, Ernst later issued an apology. “This email never should have gone out,” she said in a statement. “Though I never saw it, it was sent out under my name and I take responsibility for it. Tonight, my prayers are with the family of Justice Ginsburg.”
Lawrence Douglas explains how Democrats could have the last laugh if Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell succeeds in installing a nominee to the high court before the election, or before Trump leaves the White House, should he lose to Joe Biden:Lawrence Douglas explains how Democrats could have the last laugh if Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell succeeds in installing a nominee to the high court before the election, or before Trump leaves the White House, should he lose to Joe Biden:
Tim Alberta, the chap I quoted a while back re Mitch “Mule Piss” McConnell and his single-minded pursuit of judicial appointments, has a fascinating piece up at Politico.Tim Alberta, the chap I quoted a while back re Mitch “Mule Piss” McConnell and his single-minded pursuit of judicial appointments, has a fascinating piece up at Politico.
“If there’s one Republican who could be convinced that filling the sudden supreme court vacancy is a bad idea,” he writes, “it’s President Donald Trump.”“If there’s one Republican who could be convinced that filling the sudden supreme court vacancy is a bad idea,” he writes, “it’s President Donald Trump.”
The gist of it is that Trump might see the promise of a conservative justice as a more potent weapon in his arsenal against Joe Biden than the actuality of a conservative installed in whatever short and nasty Capitol Hill fight McConnell has lined up and into which Democrats will no doubt determinedly pitch.The gist of it is that Trump might see the promise of a conservative justice as a more potent weapon in his arsenal against Joe Biden than the actuality of a conservative installed in whatever short and nasty Capitol Hill fight McConnell has lined up and into which Democrats will no doubt determinedly pitch.
In short, as Alberta writes, Trump’s decision to publish a list of possible nominees did wonders in 2016 in reassuring evangelicals and others he would not appoint any liberals, thereby aligning such voters behind a candidate they otherwise distrusted.In short, as Alberta writes, Trump’s decision to publish a list of possible nominees did wonders in 2016 in reassuring evangelicals and others he would not appoint any liberals, thereby aligning such voters behind a candidate they otherwise distrusted.
So, the thinking goes, why not do so again? Trump has already published a list of possible nominees and we all know he likes to manage political theatre like reality TV. “Vote for me or Joe Biden will appoint an anti-gun, pro-abortion, atheist Black Lives Matter activist in a same-sex marriage from Vermont,” is the short and flippant version of it. Shorter still but still flippant: “Vote for me or the court gets it.”So, the thinking goes, why not do so again? Trump has already published a list of possible nominees and we all know he likes to manage political theatre like reality TV. “Vote for me or Joe Biden will appoint an anti-gun, pro-abortion, atheist Black Lives Matter activist in a same-sex marriage from Vermont,” is the short and flippant version of it. Shorter still but still flippant: “Vote for me or the court gets it.”
Here’s Alberta:Here’s Alberta:
And here he is again:And here he is again:
News is starting to come out of the Senate Democrats’ caucus call today…News is starting to come out of the Senate Democrats’ caucus call today…
Nothing is off the table, huh?Nothing is off the table, huh?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s fellow supreme court justices have paid tribute to their colleague in a series of statements.Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s fellow supreme court justices have paid tribute to their colleague in a series of statements.
“Through the many challenges both professionally and personally, she was the essence of grace, civility and dignity,” wrote Clarence Thomas. “She was a superb judge who gave her best and exacted the best from each of us, whether in agreement or disagreement. And, as outstanding as she was as a judge, she was an even better colleague – unfailingly gracious, thoughtful, and civil.”“Through the many challenges both professionally and personally, she was the essence of grace, civility and dignity,” wrote Clarence Thomas. “She was a superb judge who gave her best and exacted the best from each of us, whether in agreement or disagreement. And, as outstanding as she was as a judge, she was an even better colleague – unfailingly gracious, thoughtful, and civil.”
Sonia Sotomayor saluted “an American hero”:Sonia Sotomayor saluted “an American hero”:
I will miss Ruth greatly. She welcomed me to the Court with a warmth I could not have expected, and I came to feel a special kinship with her. She was someone whose wisdom, kindness, and unwavering support I could always rely on. I will forever cherish the moments we shared.”I will miss Ruth greatly. She welcomed me to the Court with a warmth I could not have expected, and I came to feel a special kinship with her. She was someone whose wisdom, kindness, and unwavering support I could always rely on. I will forever cherish the moments we shared.”
Neil Gorusch gave personal memories of Ginsburg:Neil Gorusch gave personal memories of Ginsburg:
“We are blessed by the happy memories that will remain, like traveling with Ruth to London where (to her delight) an uninformed guide kept calling her ‘Ruthie,’ or all the opera she tried so valiantly to teach me, or her sweet tooth at lunch, or the touching stories of her remarkable life with Marty,” he wrote. “We will miss Ruth and our hearts go out to her family. May she rest in peace.”“We are blessed by the happy memories that will remain, like traveling with Ruth to London where (to her delight) an uninformed guide kept calling her ‘Ruthie,’ or all the opera she tried so valiantly to teach me, or her sweet tooth at lunch, or the touching stories of her remarkable life with Marty,” he wrote. “We will miss Ruth and our hearts go out to her family. May she rest in peace.”
In 2016, Republican senator Lindsey Graham said the following: “I want you to use my words against me. If there’s a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term, you can say Lindsey Graham said let’s let the next president, whoever it might be, make that nomination”.In 2016, Republican senator Lindsey Graham said the following: “I want you to use my words against me. If there’s a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term, you can say Lindsey Graham said let’s let the next president, whoever it might be, make that nomination”.
It should be no surprise to anyone with a passing familiarity with Graham’s history of going back on his word when it suits him, that he has now reversed course (although he says he did so long before Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death). Graham pointed to an article from The Hill earlier this year in which he talked about the case of Merrick Garland, Obama’s pick for the supreme court who the Republicans refused to confirm in the final year of Obama’s presidency.It should be no surprise to anyone with a passing familiarity with Graham’s history of going back on his word when it suits him, that he has now reversed course (although he says he did so long before Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death). Graham pointed to an article from The Hill earlier this year in which he talked about the case of Merrick Garland, Obama’s pick for the supreme court who the Republicans refused to confirm in the final year of Obama’s presidency.
“Well, Merrick Garland was a different situation. You had the president of one party nominating, and you had the Senate in the hands of the other party. A situation where you’ve got them both would be different. I don’t want to speculate, but I think appointing judges is a high priority for me in 2020,” Graham said in the article.“Well, Merrick Garland was a different situation. You had the president of one party nominating, and you had the Senate in the hands of the other party. A situation where you’ve got them both would be different. I don’t want to speculate, but I think appointing judges is a high priority for me in 2020,” Graham said in the article.
Reports that Donald Trump would select a woman to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg are gaining momentum, with Bloomberg’s Jennifer Jacobs saying the choices would include Barbara Lagoa and Amy Coney Barrett. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said earlier today that she was not aware of Trump and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell discussing a replacement.Reports that Donald Trump would select a woman to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg are gaining momentum, with Bloomberg’s Jennifer Jacobs saying the choices would include Barbara Lagoa and Amy Coney Barrett. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said earlier today that she was not aware of Trump and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell discussing a replacement.
One other (male) possibility being discussed is Amul Thapar, who would become the first Indian-American to serve on the supreme court if selected and confirmed.One other (male) possibility being discussed is Amul Thapar, who would become the first Indian-American to serve on the supreme court if selected and confirmed.
Trump has attempted some sort of statesmanlike tone this morning, promising to serve “the people who so proudly elected us” by announcing his nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg “without delay” – never mind that nearly 3m more people voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and almost 18m more people voted for Democrats in the Senate than for the Republicans who hold it.Trump has attempted some sort of statesmanlike tone this morning, promising to serve “the people who so proudly elected us” by announcing his nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg “without delay” – never mind that nearly 3m more people voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and almost 18m more people voted for Democrats in the Senate than for the Republicans who hold it.
But the troll in the Oval Office – or the White House residence or maybe the private dining room off the Oval Office, the “Monica Room” (see Rage, Woodward, Bob, 2020) where he watches TV and eats junk food – is also active this morning:But the troll in the Oval Office – or the White House residence or maybe the private dining room off the Oval Office, the “Monica Room” (see Rage, Woodward, Bob, 2020) where he watches TV and eats junk food – is also active this morning:
Short recap: in 2013, then Democratic Senate majority leader Harry Reid went for the “nuclear option”, removing the 60-vote threshold for judicial appointments, because he was frustrated by Republican obstruction of nominees from the Obama White House.Short recap: in 2013, then Democratic Senate majority leader Harry Reid went for the “nuclear option”, removing the 60-vote threshold for judicial appointments, because he was frustrated by Republican obstruction of nominees from the Obama White House.
The move made such appointments subject to a simple majority and after Republicans took the Senate in 2016, they extended it to supreme court picks.The move made such appointments subject to a simple majority and after Republicans took the Senate in 2016, they extended it to supreme court picks.
Two Trump justices later and with an absolutely seismic third in the offing, some are taking the chance to revel in what was undoubtedly an immense tactical victory for Reid’s opposite number and successor as majority leader, Mitch “Mule Piss” McConnell.Two Trump justices later and with an absolutely seismic third in the offing, some are taking the chance to revel in what was undoubtedly an immense tactical victory for Reid’s opposite number and successor as majority leader, Mitch “Mule Piss” McConnell.
Reid is not well, but from retirement in Nevada he issued a statement which pointed to the possible costs to Republicans, politically, and the country, socially, should Trump and McConnell succeed in installing a nominee before the election, or before Trump leaves the White House, should he lose to Joe Biden:Reid is not well, but from retirement in Nevada he issued a statement which pointed to the possible costs to Republicans, politically, and the country, socially, should Trump and McConnell succeed in installing a nominee before the election, or before Trump leaves the White House, should he lose to Joe Biden:
Felicity Jones, the British actor, who played Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the 2018 film On The Basis Of Sex, has paid tribute to the supreme court justice.Felicity Jones, the British actor, who played Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the 2018 film On The Basis Of Sex, has paid tribute to the supreme court justice.
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave us hope, a public figure who stood for integrity and justice – a responsibility she did not wear lightly,” Jones said in a statement to NBC’s Today show. “She will be missed not only as a beacon of light in these difficult times but for her razor sharp wit and extraordinary humanity. She taught us all so much. I will miss her deeply.”“Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave us hope, a public figure who stood for integrity and justice – a responsibility she did not wear lightly,” Jones said in a statement to NBC’s Today show. “She will be missed not only as a beacon of light in these difficult times but for her razor sharp wit and extraordinary humanity. She taught us all so much. I will miss her deeply.”
Jones met Ginsburg for the making of the film and described her as “very open”. You can read the Guardian’s review of the film below:Jones met Ginsburg for the making of the film and described her as “very open”. You can read the Guardian’s review of the film below:
One fear for Democrats is that wavering Republican voters will rally to the GOP in November’s elections to ensure a conservative replaces Ruth Bader Ginsburg, even if they view Donald Trump with distaste.One fear for Democrats is that wavering Republican voters will rally to the GOP in November’s elections to ensure a conservative replaces Ruth Bader Ginsburg, even if they view Donald Trump with distaste.
It appears that Republicans in close Senate races are already using the supreme court’s future in an attempt to win votes. North Carolina Republican senator Thom Tillis said on Saturday that he wanted a new justice in as soon as possible.It appears that Republicans in close Senate races are already using the supreme court’s future in an attempt to win votes. North Carolina Republican senator Thom Tillis said on Saturday that he wanted a new justice in as soon as possible.
“Four years ago, a Supreme Court vacancy arose under divided government and a lame-duck president as Americans were choosing his successor. Today, however, President Trump is again facing voters at the ballot box and North Carolinians will ultimately render their judgment on his presidency and how he chooses to fill the vacancy,” he said in a statement.“Four years ago, a Supreme Court vacancy arose under divided government and a lame-duck president as Americans were choosing his successor. Today, however, President Trump is again facing voters at the ballot box and North Carolinians will ultimately render their judgment on his presidency and how he chooses to fill the vacancy,” he said in a statement.
Tillis is trailing his Democrat opponent, Cal Cunningham, in the polls for the Senate seat and played on conservative voters’ fears in his statement. “There is a clear choice on the future of the Supreme Court between the well-qualified and conservative jurist President Trump will nominate and I will support, and the liberal activist Joe Biden will nominate and Cal Cunningham will support, who will legislate radical, left-wing policies from the bench,” he said.Tillis is trailing his Democrat opponent, Cal Cunningham, in the polls for the Senate seat and played on conservative voters’ fears in his statement. “There is a clear choice on the future of the Supreme Court between the well-qualified and conservative jurist President Trump will nominate and I will support, and the liberal activist Joe Biden will nominate and Cal Cunningham will support, who will legislate radical, left-wing policies from the bench,” he said.
Vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris visited the supreme court this morning as Americans paid tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Harris have her own thoughts of Ginsburg on Twitter:Vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris visited the supreme court this morning as Americans paid tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Harris have her own thoughts of Ginsburg on Twitter:
“Justice Ginsburg was a titan—a relentless defender of justice and a legal mind for the ages,” Harris wrote. “The stakes of this election couldn’t be higher. Millions of Americans are counting on us to win and protect the Supreme Court—for their health, for their families, and for their rights.”“Justice Ginsburg was a titan—a relentless defender of justice and a legal mind for the ages,” Harris wrote. “The stakes of this election couldn’t be higher. Millions of Americans are counting on us to win and protect the Supreme Court—for their health, for their families, and for their rights.”
Meanwhile, writing in The Hill, Roger House gives an interesting choice for a successor to Ginsburg should Joe Biden get to have his say: Michelle Obama.Meanwhile, writing in The Hill, Roger House gives an interesting choice for a successor to Ginsburg should Joe Biden get to have his say: Michelle Obama.
“In Michelle Obama, concerned Americans would be comforted by her well-known intellectual acumen and dedication to the goals of equal justice with fairness. She is singularly qualified to occupy the seat that inherits the ideals of Justice Ginsburg,” writes House.“In Michelle Obama, concerned Americans would be comforted by her well-known intellectual acumen and dedication to the goals of equal justice with fairness. She is singularly qualified to occupy the seat that inherits the ideals of Justice Ginsburg,” writes House.
You can read the full article here.You can read the full article here.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born and raised in Brooklyn, and New York governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a statue of the supreme court justice will be erected in the borough.Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born and raised in Brooklyn, and New York governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a statue of the supreme court justice will be erected in the borough.
“NY’s heart breaks with the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” wrote Cuomo on Twitter. “During her extraordinary career, this Brooklyn native broke barriers & the letters RBG took on new meaning—as battle cry & inspiration. Her legal mind & dedication to justice leave an indelible mark on America.”“NY’s heart breaks with the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” wrote Cuomo on Twitter. “During her extraordinary career, this Brooklyn native broke barriers & the letters RBG took on new meaning—as battle cry & inspiration. Her legal mind & dedication to justice leave an indelible mark on America.”
He added: “This statue will serve as a physical reminder of Justice Ginsburg’s monumental contributions to the America we know today and as an inspiration for all.”He added: “This statue will serve as a physical reminder of Justice Ginsburg’s monumental contributions to the America we know today and as an inspiration for all.”
You can read more on Ginsburg’s extraordinary life in our obituary here:You can read more on Ginsburg’s extraordinary life in our obituary here:
One video doing the rounds today is of Republican senator Lindsey Graham’s comments from 2016 on the nomination of a new justice.One video doing the rounds today is of Republican senator Lindsey Graham’s comments from 2016 on the nomination of a new justice.
After the death of conservative supreme court justice Antonin Scalia in 2016, Graham said a replacement should not be decided until Barack Obama was out of power - something that came to pass. The Republican justification at the time was that a new president should decide the new justice.After the death of conservative supreme court justice Antonin Scalia in 2016, Graham said a replacement should not be decided until Barack Obama was out of power - something that came to pass. The Republican justification at the time was that a new president should decide the new justice.
“I want you to use my words against me. If there’s a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term, you can say Lindsey Graham said let’s let the next president, whoever it might be, make that nomination,” said at the time.“I want you to use my words against me. If there’s a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term, you can say Lindsey Graham said let’s let the next president, whoever it might be, make that nomination,” said at the time.
The video has been retweeted regularly since the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg was announced, including by Hawaii senator Brian Schatz who added the word: “DONE”.The video has been retweeted regularly since the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg was announced, including by Hawaii senator Brian Schatz who added the word: “DONE”.
Given that Graham is perfectly happy to go back on his word when it suits him, don’t expect the videos to make much difference.Given that Graham is perfectly happy to go back on his word when it suits him, don’t expect the videos to make much difference.
The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has sparked a titanic political fight that could shape the future of US supreme court decisions on abortion rights, voting rights and other fundamental issues for a generation.The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has sparked a titanic political fight that could shape the future of US supreme court decisions on abortion rights, voting rights and other fundamental issues for a generation.
That fight could also determine the contours of American society for the next 30 to 40 years, given the central role the court plays in legislating on cultural, social and political issues.That fight could also determine the contours of American society for the next 30 to 40 years, given the central role the court plays in legislating on cultural, social and political issues.
The Senate confirmation battle to come will be a reminder of the influence the court wields within the US system of government and the impact it has on the lives of ordinary citizens.The Senate confirmation battle to come will be a reminder of the influence the court wields within the US system of government and the impact it has on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Donald Trump has already appointed two supreme court justices – but both were conservatives replacing conservatives. If the president succeeds with a Ginsburg replacement it will fundamentally change the shape of the court, since it would replace a liberal with a conservative. This would deliver a handsome majority on the court and probably change American life in unprecedented ways.Donald Trump has already appointed two supreme court justices – but both were conservatives replacing conservatives. If the president succeeds with a Ginsburg replacement it will fundamentally change the shape of the court, since it would replace a liberal with a conservative. This would deliver a handsome majority on the court and probably change American life in unprecedented ways.
The ability of the court to interpret legislation from abortion to voting rights and from racial segregation to LGBTQ+ issues means that a successful appointment would probably be Trump’s lasting legacy. Supreme court justices serve open-ended terms, impacting the country decades after any president leaves the White House.The ability of the court to interpret legislation from abortion to voting rights and from racial segregation to LGBTQ+ issues means that a successful appointment would probably be Trump’s lasting legacy. Supreme court justices serve open-ended terms, impacting the country decades after any president leaves the White House.
You can read the full story below:You can read the full story below:
Donald Trump has once again reiterated his desire to select a new supreme court justice while the Republicans have power over the presidency and Senate.Donald Trump has once again reiterated his desire to select a new supreme court justice while the Republicans have power over the presidency and Senate.
“We were put in this position of power and importance to make decisions for the people who so proudly elected us, the most important of which has long been considered to be the selection of United States Supreme Court Justices. We have this obligation, without delay!” the president tweeted on Saturday morning.“We were put in this position of power and importance to make decisions for the people who so proudly elected us, the most important of which has long been considered to be the selection of United States Supreme Court Justices. We have this obligation, without delay!” the president tweeted on Saturday morning.
For more on why Trump is so keen to get a new justice in place, here’s a very useful explainer from our own Tom McCarthy:For more on why Trump is so keen to get a new justice in place, here’s a very useful explainer from our own Tom McCarthy: