You can blame DiFi for running again in 2018. You can blame Dems for not setting up the Senate rules better in 2021. You can talk about term limits or cognitive tests.
It’s all irrelevant.
As Hillary Clinton explained in yesterday’s Times
“Here’s the dilemma: The Republicans will not agree to add someone else to the Judiciary Committee if she retires,” she told Time magazine on Monday, in an interview published Tuesday night. “I want you to think about how crummy that is. So I don’t know what’s in her heart about whether she really would or wouldn’t, but right now, she can’t. Because if we’re going to get judges confirmed, which is one of the most important continuing obligations that we have, then we cannot afford to have her seat vacant.”
her answer might be different “if Republicans were to say and do the decent thing.” But, she added, “They won’t say that.”
DiFid staying is the key to having a better chance Dem judges will rule on everything we cherish — reproductive rights, gun control, climate, democracy itself — rather than Judges like Matthew Kacsmaryk, the mifepristone banning Judge.
It’s the health of one person versus the health or safety of millions.
Yes, it’s harsh and it implicates other issues. But it’s not DiFi or those getting her to stay who are at fault. It’s sicko Republicans who will use this situation to bar any Dem judges.
I don’t know why Gail Collins of the Times doesn’t realize or ignores this — she writes a column today about aging and reasons for her to resign, without mentioning that resigning will bar Dem judges for at least 18 months. She does mention that a temporary replacement was rejected by R’s, but does she not realize resignation will have the same result?
We can grouse about past decisions. But she must stay and It’s Republicans fault.