SCOTUS: Obama talks to Hatch, Specter - vows to consult regularly, appoint "pragmatist"

[jefferson_dem]

SCOTUS: Obama talks to Hatch, Specter
Posted: Monday, May 04, 2009 5:23 PM by Mark Murray
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell and Ken Strickland

President Obama today called Sens. Orrin Hatch (R) and Arlen Specter (D) about the upcoming Supreme Court vacancy.

Per the White House, Obama "vowed to consult regularly with senators in both parties to ensure an orderly confirmation process that will allow Justice Souter's replacement to be confirmed by the beginning of the Court's next session."

Said Hatch's office in statement:


...Hatch (R-Utah) urged President Obama against choosing a judicial activist for the Supreme Court vacancy. He advised the president to choose a nominee who is more in step with mainstream America and would uphold the rule of law. The president assured Hatch that this was his intention, that he would appoint a pragmatist, not a radical, to this important position."

Added Specter:


"The president called me around noon today to begin the consultation process on a new Supreme Court nominee. He asked for recommendations and I told him I would think it over and get back to him."


http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/05/04/1922017.aspx

[Thrill]

1. I call Bullshit on Hatch's statement.

[Arkana]

2. Yeah, I don't see Obama choosing someone Hatch wants.

I'm sure the deal with Specter, though, included him voting to confirm whoever it's going to be.

But Hatch is at least one of the LESS crazy members of the Senate...and he's friends with Ted Kennedy.

[blueclown]

3. "Appoint somebody who is more in step with mainstream America"?

Like who?

Samuel Alito?

Fuck this motherfucker.

[cali]

4. don't worry. Obama will appoint

someone like Sotomayer or Wood. He's just neutering Oren.

[damonm]

6. I'm sure Hatch's and Obama's definitions of

"mainstream America" couldn't be much farther apart.

[ClarkUSA]

5. It's called stroking some humongous egos and softening 'em up for the final vote.

[joeybee12]

7. I refer to it as kissing butt...

...and you're right, never underestimate the size of those egos.

[ClarkUSA]

8. Pres. Obama is simply making them feel as if their ideas count. That's important to Senators.

Makes 'em feel good and more likely to agree with him in the end. He has used the same approach to Cuban, Iranian, G20
and Summit of the Americas leaders, all to good effect.

[bigwillq]

9. Obama talked to two Republicans.

At least Obama is reaching across party lines.

[dflprincess]

10. Yeah, it's worked so well the other times he's done that.

:sarcasm:

[bigwillq]

11. Can't fault a man for trying.

I was also being sarcastic. I can't stand Specter, and I am not a fan of him switching parties and everyone embracing him, no matter what anyone has up their sleeves. I hope Specter loses the DEM primary.

[dflprincess]

12. Sorry, missed that you were being sarcastic

and I completely agree with on Specter. I keep wondering how many times Obama is going to get bitten before he stops trying to appease this people.