Nadav Schoenberg NBC News Article Response

Nadav Schoenberg

Gordon 3

Ap Gov

1. The recent vacancy in the Supreme has a very strong correlation to the Senate races in January of this year. Due to the setup of the dates there is a 17 day gap between when the new Senate is inaugurated and the end of President Obama's term. This short time is very important for the President. By appointing a Democratic justice to the court, Obama would be leaving his views and mark on history. Even if a Republican candidate is elected president, a shift in the Senates majority from Republican to Democratic would allow President Obamas Democrat nominee for the court to be approved by the Senate. All Justices must be approved by the Senate. Having a Democratic Supreme Court Justice would be a huge victory for the Democrats. In recent years, partisanship has increased drastically. Recent cases such as marriage equality have seen Justices have ties to their party. Many justices stay loyal to their party, no matter their personal views. A majority Democrat Supreme Court would allow the Democratic party to advance many of their progressive ideas, even with a Republican president. In political terms, a consensus is a agreement between all parties. When a consensus is reached, negotiations can be made and a gridlock or even shut down of the government is avoided. A consensus is very important in this situation. The Senate must be able to reach a consensus on the new Justice appointee. Without a consensus the whole process will be sent into a gridlock and everything will come to a stall.

2. President Obama actually has little power in the appointing of a new Supreme Court Justice. While under the Constitution President Obama has the power to appoint a Justice, he has little ability to ensure the appointee actually makes their way to the court.  The President has no role in the election of Congress. If the Senate continues to be majority Republican, it is likely that the Presidents nominee will not be approved. Without approval from Senate, a Presidents nominee cannot join the Supreme Court. Due to strong party ties it is likely that a majority republican Senate will not approve any Obama nominee, as many Republicans believe Obama's presidency was a failure.

3. A lame duck president refers to a president who's term is coming to an end in the next few months. When a president is a lame duck, their power as president has largely disappeared. A lame duck president has little influence politically as they are seen as on their way out of office. President Obama is not a completely lame duck president. While Republicans may see him as lame duck, his influence may still be felt among Democrats. President Obamas power and influence has begun to disappear among Senate and House Republicans. However if a Democratic Senate is elected, Obamas influence may be felt until the day he officially leaves the presidency. Due to the 17 day gap President Obama may be able to have a Democratic Justice approved by Senate. This would not only carry the Presidents influence out until his last day in the White House, but a Justice appointed by Obama would allow his influence to be felt for many years to come, years after the end of his presidency.