Beltway Insider: Obama/SCOTUS/GOP Wars; Justice Scalia; Election 2016; Sanders/Cruz; Eliot Spitzer

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Category: Beltway Insider

Published on Sunday, 14 February 2016 19:21

Written by Janet Walker

President Obama moved ahead sending out clear signals, through the hailstorm of political wrangling, of his plans to nominate a successor to fill the vacated seat of Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away this weekend.

According to Gallup, President Obama's job approval, over the past week, increased one percentage point to 49% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President increased one percentage point to 48%.

President, VP, Fellow Justices Eulogizes Justice Scalia

President Obama, who was told of the death of Justice Scalia while golfing in Rancho Mirage, California, along with Vice President Joseph Biden and fellow Supreme Court Justices through Chief Justice John Roberts mourned and eulogized their friend, colleague and, at times, antagonist.

"For almost 30 years, Justice Antonin "Nino" Scalia was a larger-than-life presence on the bench -- a brilliant legal mind with an energetic style, incisive wit, and colorful opinions. He influenced a generation of judges, lawyers, and students, and profoundly shaped the legal landscape.  He will no doubt be remembered as one of the most consequential judges and thinkers to serve on the Supreme Court.  Justice Scalia dedicated his life to the cornerstone of our democracy:  The rule of law.  Tonight, we honor his extraordinary service to our nation and remember one of the towering legal figures of our time," President Obama said.

The Obama Administration's polices and agendas has been argued with frequency. Awaiting a decision from a court that held within its grasp the power to change the topography of the Obama legacy and especially as Justice Scalia was an originalist to which the Vice President addressed as he spoke respectfully of his passing.

"Justice Scalia and I had fundamental disagreements about how the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, but we shared a belief that sharp debates, tough questions, and deep respect for the adversarial process was an essential part of our judicial system and our democracy. That's how our rule of law—forged with the deep principles and convictions of justices, and laid out in majority decisions and minority dissents—becomes the model for the world," Vice President Joseph Biden said through a released statement.

Chief Justice John Roberts, on behalf Justice Scalia's colleagues offered these words as his death was confirmed: "I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away. He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the court and the country he so loyally served."

The legal community, three decades of legal scholars and countless student conservatives will also remember the longest serving justice as one of our most influential, a congenial man, friendly with a quick wit, the ability to achieve career-life balance,

Obama Announces His Plans to Name Successor

The recent announcement by President Obama also eluded to his plans to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor.

The swiftness move of the administration to announce its plans, President Obama made the transition to successor during the announcement of Justice Scalia's death, along with the rebuttal from the Republican controlled senate, can be interpreted and should be seen more as poor taste than the furtherance of government.

It is possible we could bury the Justice before the onslaught of political wrangling takes overs the headlines, morning shows and evening news?

Both parties have quickly established party foundations on the replacement, which must be voted on by the Senate. Republican controlled Congress, to clear the way for a recent unchallenged nominee to fill the vacated seat of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia who died this weekend.

Obama has vowed a quick turnaround in replacing Scalia, which lends in political tea leaf reading, as an judicial appointment that has sailed through confirmation hearings with limited detractors in the senate.

The SCOTUS search it appears, will take less time for the lifetime appointment than a standard Senior Vice-President search in a private corporation that may last two years.

The Republican controlled senate has stated they will not act on any Supreme Court nominee Obama announces.

The make-up of the Supreme Court is split evenly with four conservative justices and four liberal justices. Justice Kennedy always considered the justice that could be swayed. With the absence of Scalia, and the possibility of either and Obama appointment of a democratic president making the decision the court shifts. Prior to Justice Scalia's death, rumors of Justice Ginsburg's retirement had circulated. 

Justice Scalia Dies of Heart Attack

Associate Justice Antonin "Nino" Scalia, the longest serving Supreme Court Justice, died over the weekend of what has been officially determined as a heart attack. He was found dead Saturday morning while on a weekend retreat. He was 79.

The Justice, who was staying at the Cibolo Creek Ranch some 30 miles outside Marfa, Texas, a small four corners, 1.6 square miles, one stop light intersection of a town, 200 miles from anything, in an area even outside cellular phone signal, was pronounced dead via telephone "based on credible information" by Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara.

Scalia, it is reported enjoyed a full day of quail hunting, although reports indicated he did not participate in the hunt but was a spectator and essentially "along for the ride." 

Staying in the presidential suite of the Cibolo Creek Ranch and as a guest of John Poindexter. He was accompanied by U.S. Marshals. In addition to Scalia and his security detail, he traveled with approximately 35 other individuals.

It has been reported the Justice left a private party and retired to his room after dinner. This was not considered unusual with all the day's activities. No reports have surfaced of the Justice indicating he felt ill or in needed of medical attention.

Media reports the wakeup call at the ranch consisted of a knock on the door and it was only after a second attempt and a missed breakfast that red flags were raised.

The Justice was discovered, according to media reports, peacefully lying on the bed, in his pajamas, with his hands folded, as if he were napping. No indication if the lights had been turned off or if his glasses were found on the bedside table which would built a more solid timeline. There was no disturbance to indicate in his final moments he suffered or struggled to summon assistance.

A devout catholic a priest was summoned upon discovering the Justice to administer last rites.

A Swift Appointee

Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, Scalia was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 5, 1982 and sworn in on August 17, 1982.

The death of the bastion of conservatism leaves the court an even 4-4 split and in limbo. Scalia was known to be an engaging and staunchly Catholic, sought to have Roe V. Wade struck down.

A traditionalist he believed in equality and opposed affirmative action and other polices that treated minorities as special groups. His constitutional interpretation was based on originalism which translates to exact interpretation within the mindset of the founders.

Antonin Gregory Scalia, a staunch Catholic, born March 11, 1936, in Trenton New Jersey, became the first Italian-American to be nominated for the Supreme Court.

A graduate of Georgetown University and Harvard University, Scalia ended his time at the Ivy League University with two highly coveted honors, his wife, Maureen, whom he met on a blind date, and his law degree.

Scalia also a lover of Opera, a passion he shared with fellow Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg whom he counted as one of his closest friends, often remarking how he couldn't understand her liberal positions. The two couples dined together often including every New Year's Eve. He also attempted to make a hunter of the courts most junior member Justice Elena Kagan, who was able to nail a white tail doe, to which Scalia laughed and said, "She could have done that in my driveway."

Justice Scalia is survived by his wife of 56 years, Maureen, nine children, Ann Forrest, Eugene, John Francis, Catherine Elisabeth, Mary Clare, Paul David, Matthew, Christopher James and Margaret Jane and 28 grandchildren.

Also Beltway Insider: Obama/Syria; Health Crisis/FGM; Trick Job Numbers; Election 2016; Julian Assange

Election 2016: New Hampshire Holds Few Surprises; Cruz Wins in Scalia Death

The New Hampshire Primary outcome didn't surprise anyone, really. The highly touted first official primary in every national election has been consistent over the past four election cycles in choosing a candidate that doesn't make the ticket cut.

In 2008, Hillary won New Hampshire over the incumbent Barack Obama. In 2000, George Bush lost to John McCain, and in 1992 Bill Clinton also lost New Hampshire.

Bernie Sanders, the unexpected upstart and spoiler in the 2016 Presidential primary, won New Hampshire. And he won BIG. Not only did the Senator win by a wider than expected margin. He made history by winning more votes in New Hampshire primary than anyone else, ever.

Clinton and Sanders Square Off

South Carolina is the next stop on the 2016 Presidential primary path. 

Senator Sanders, high on his New Hampshire win, has continued to reach out to distressed communities and disenfranchised voters. The only real issue with his strategy, as it is exactly what is expected at this point, is that Civil Rights leaders who have long supported Hillary have no recollection of ever seeing Senator Sanders at any Civil Rights Marches or Causes.

Civil Rights leaders appear to back Mrs. Clinton and she is expected to win the largely diverse communities in South Carolina where she holds a commanding lead.

Republican Debate

The Ninth Republican debate rolls the candidates into the South Carolina Primary where Donald Trump holds a commanding win and is expected to win.

GOP Candidates Senator Ted Cruz, Billionaire Businessman Donald J. Trump, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Former Governor Jeb Bush, Rubio, Ohio Governor John Kasich and former Pediatric Neurosurgeon Ben Carson, participated in the debate.

Personal Record and other candidates, economy and taxes, Supreme Court Appointment, Immigration Policy, Terrorism/ISIS, National Security and Foreign Policy were the breakdown of topics. The deterioration of temperament especially as Rubio and Cruz each seemed struck by the last word syndrome and with that will land the final and convincingly truth telling blow.

Ohio Governor Kasich maintain his strong positioning as the week as seen several Republican candidates including name the names suspend their campaigns.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, once considered the most electable candidate in the 2016 Presidential Race, has suspended his campaign after poor showing in both Iowa and New Hampshire results. Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has also suspended her presidential campaign hopes.  

Cruz Benefits in Scalia Death

Former Texas Senator Ted Cruz clearly benefits most from the untimely death of Justice Scalia. The Birther Case filed by a Texas attorney Newton Schwartz. The case, Schwartz v. Cruz, 4:16-cv-00106, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (Houston) challenges Senator Cruz's right to run.

"This 229-year question has never been pled, presented to or finally decided by or resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court," Houston attorney Newton B. Schwartz Sr. said in his 28-page complaint. "Only the U.S. Supreme Court can finally decide, determine judicially and settle this issue now," as quoted in Bloomberg News.

A conservative Scalia, known as an originalist, would more than likely have concluded in a scathing, although witty opinion which would have included admonitions to both parties on infringing on the court's time as each party understand the seriousness of cases brought to the court, heard and argued and concluded one can't change the rules mid-stream because once feels one has a chance to win the most coveted office.

Even as Cruz is a conservative, the odds are Scalia would have concluded the framers meant born on this soil within the homeland of the United States of America. Within the 50 states and territories, although it is hard pressed to believe he would have included territories.   

Bernie Sanders

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, flying high off the New Hampshire primary win, presents himself in debates as the next president of the United States. He is self-described as a socialist-democrat, his rhetoric is not much different than all candidates, his democratic challenger former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton or any of the Republican challengers.

He wants to win and hopes his record and beliefs will be strong enough to persuade those democrats who may be undecided to vote for him.

Clinton has challenged the senator as "One Note" reform, reform, reform. Granted the Senator hits the not in the American people, the 99%, which includes most of the population, he believes is hoping, looking desperately looking for leadership change. Oddly reminiscent of Rubio who claims the same.

As we are approaching an election that doesn't include an incumbent change is certain. Senator Sanders wants the public to believe Clinton represents the same Obama quid pro quo government and not change. Therefore he makes the better argument for change.

Ms. Clinton, believes the time for progressive change in America has arrived. She has big money backers, which the Sanders team denounces as part of the establishment, campaigns even grass roots swellings, need campaign finance. Sanders is as aware as everyone the high cost of running a presidential campaign.

Sanders has a solid grassroots campaign, he is winning, placing and showing. Odds are when the final tally is totaled the Senator will have an impressive run. In order to change the voter's mind, the senator will have to change history and that is the most difficult task at hand.

Senator Sanders campaign is impressive. He has gathered a considerable base, has had strong showings and until now has been truthful. With Deep South African American communities the Senator is attempting to place himself on the front lines, it is easier to produce a supportive voting record.

Eliot Spitzer Under Investigation

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is under investigation stemming from an alleged assault inside The Plaza Hotel, located on Central Park South, Saturday night, in New York City.

Allegedly the women involved ran into Central park and attempted to slit her wrists. No details surrounding the incident which has only been described as an "assault." No mention if the assault was physical or sexual in nature. Reports indicate after the assault the women attempted to kill herself.

The NYPD Chief of Detectives is in charge and at press time was reported as saying they were looking into the relationship, if any, the injuries and if the women wanted to press charges.

The former governor resigned from political life after a prostitution scandal in which it was discovered he was a regular paying customer of a high priced call girl.

Opinion: The female at the center of this scandal unfortunately will see only trouble for reporting the crimes. Her life will never be the same. She will be tortured, stalked, and squeezed to death. If she is unstable she will commit suicide at some point. If not she will be forced to move to another city and change her name. If she is lucky that will be enough. Otherwise she will be forced to move multiple times until and at last some conclusion is reached. His affluent family and deep, even in scandal New York roots will become tentacles that will always find her and strangle her.

If charges are brought, every area of her life will be uncovered and used against her. If she is liberal she will be called a whore; if she is conservative she will become the aggressor in a relationship she has no idea existed. Her home will be monitored.

Her predilections, habits, and journals every area laid bare. Casual encounters, secret hopes distorted beyond recognition. Every area of her life will be squeezed; she, no matter her profession or education will end. She will effectively be dead. That is the price for reporting sexual crimes or crimes of any kind against affluence in New York City.

For more information on President Barack Obama: www.whitehouse.gov

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.com, Bloomberg

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