There is a chance for courage among the Republican presidential nominees—if only any of the six remaining men were courageous.
In case you somehow missed this, in the wake of Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky senator and majority leader, has vowed to block consideration of any nominee put forth by President Obama. Thus far members of the party have fully supported McConnell’s stance—meaning no matter who Obama offers up, that person will be denied so much as a hearing.
It’s absolutely pathetic.
It’s also an opportunity.
Were I Jeb Bush or John Kasich, I’d stand up on this one. Instead of following the sheep-like far-right tendencies of Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, I’d take the opposite stance. Hell, here’s exactly what I’d say. “I do not think Barack Obama has been a good president. I agree with almost nothing he does. But he is the president, and out of respect for the office, we need to allow him to nominate someone, then we need to debate it. That doesn’t mean we have to support the person. Hell, odds are—based upon the president’s crazy liberal track record—we won’t support the person. But we have to stop being this party that comes off as angry, closed-minded, shutting down everything that doesn’t go our way. The president has the right to nominate a justice, and we should allow that. Then let’s have a real debate over why he/she is right or wrong for the Supreme Court. America has a long tradition of people working together; of asking tough questions; of challenging; of debating. And this is a debate we should have—we need to have.
“One more thing: I keep hearing Senator Cruz citing examples of how Democrats didn’t allow votes. Well, I want to be better than the Democrats. Why stoop down to that level? We’re here to govern and to work. Leadership means doing just that. Again, let the president nominate his choice, and let’s show this nation why we have the better judgement.”
