How can we prepare to break Repub plans to block the Supreme Court?

[prarie deem]

Surely there is something that can be done. We have got to get liberal justices appointed during Hillary's first term or we are sunk. I am really panicking about this. I would donate for an information campaign to be shown in the obstructors states or make calls or whatever.

These Rebub pigs who are always preening about their patriotism are planning to subvert the Constitution and the will of the people. Winning the Presidency and having the legal duty to nominate a justice is not enough for these idiots. Why isn't this treason??

AACCKKK!

[unblock]

1. we *have* to change the rules on january 3 to prevent filibusters of supreme court justices.

there's no longer any excuse not to, because republicans no longer have any pretense of playing fair.

they've already declared war on *any* hillary nominee.

there's *zero* basis for giving such people filibuster power.

[Cosmocat]

3. Yep!

Its do or die.

[Cosmocat]

2. Day one

Schumer has to drop the filibuster. If he doesn't we are fucked.

[Peaches999]

5. He may not be able to in a 50-50 or 51-49 Dem Senate

[yallerdawg]

9. Isn't the rule at the first Senate session of each year...

a simple majority to agree to the rules - even the so-called 'nuclear option'?

[Salviati]

12. Yup, and in a 50-50 tie, Kane would break the tie.

There should be no threats of doing it, no negotiation, no compromise. Just do it on day one. The republicans have already said enough to show that they will not operate in good faith.

[Peaches999]

14. I don't think Manchin will go along

Heitkamp did in 2014, but even she may not this go around. All of this is because of the 2018 elections.

[Peaches999]

4. It depends what the Senate breakdown is

If it is Republican (52 or 51), we need to attract the GOP moderates like Snowe with honey, and perhaps with an implicit promise we will retaliate against a Republican President.

If the Senate is 50-50 or 49-51, we need Manchin and Heitkamp and other vulnerable Democrats to feel okay with breaking the filibuster rule. This won't be easy.

If the Democratic majority is solid, Merrick Garland or someone similar will be confirmed.

[unblock]

8. yes, that may be a challenge

amazing, though, that republicans never seem to have such problems with party line votes....

anyway, i think the dynamic this time if different, given the unprecedented hold-up over garland and the stated intention to block any hillary nominee.

i'm sure schumer can give them something in return.

[Peaches999]

15. They did for the nuclear option under Frist

If anything this shows we need more than a simple majority; we have to get to about 52, and we can.

[liberal N proud]

6. GOTV - Knock on doors to get people to vote for Democrats

MAKE sure the Senate and House are taken away from the republicans.

[yallerdawg]

7. Vote...

call, email and write letters.

Once they start working again, of course. That way it echoes.

Being in gerrymandered districts, Republican House members rarely see us in person - as we're shouted down.

[Wounded Bear]

10. Step 1: Win the Senate....

Step 2: Nuke the fillibuster on SC nominations.

Step 3: Pack the court.

[Thinkingabout]

11. If Hillary wins and there is a change in this election giving a majority to Democrats then I

Think there may be a rush to confirm Garland to prevent Hillary from nominating a more liberal judge.

[backscatter712]

13. We have to win the Senate.

We get that 50th vote, plus Tim Kaine, then we can simply threaten to nuke the filibuster if the GOP tries to cockblock. If that doesn't work, carry out the threat.