Obama Nominates Sotomayor to SCOTUS

[BringBackJoeT]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Here's what will be interesting to me... When the democrats were the minority and the last two Supreme Court spots opened up, they voted along party lines with John Roberts receiving a 78-22 vote, and Samuel Alito managing just a 58-42 vote.

Even though Republicans disagreed with the philosophy of both Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who got a 96-3 vote, and Stephen Breyer who garnered an 87-9 vote, they understood that both nominees were qualified and voted accordingly.

I wonder if the Republicans will return the favor this year, and play hardball just like the democrats have? Or will they vote for Sotomayor even though they differ with her judicial views?

Will it make a difference if they play "hardball," as you say the Democrats did? Roberts and Alito were nominated while Republicans had a Senate majority, and Sotomayor will face a Democratic-majority Senate. Republican "hardball" will still undoubtedly not be enough to block a confirmation, especially if Sotomayor garners Republican votes as both Roberts and Alito garnered Democratic votes.

By the way, I'm pretty sure Scalia was confirmed by a vote of 98-0.