# Are liberals facing the equivalent of political checkmate with the Supreme Court for the next 25-30 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 9, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566 "2018-07-09T14:05:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/41 "2018-07-10T01:41:16Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > It’s funny to think that people think the popular vote has any relevance. Trump, for one. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/42 "2018-07-10T02:08:39Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/43 "2018-07-10T02:38:27Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > It’s funny to think that people think the popular vote has any relevance. No one believes that more than Trump who goes on and on about how he’d have won it without millions of illegal votes. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/44 "2018-07-10T04:09:21Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Near impossible is correct. > > That chart is all men/women and does not account for SES or whatever. Finding better data would be extremely problematic. For Ginsburg she takes very good care of herself, appears to be tough as hell and has access to the best healthcare America can provide. The previous health issues also can be provided for but with difficulty. > > Figure it balances out. Maybe. Possibly. Could be. Hi. I would have appreciated it if you had spelled out what SES means in your post as it is not clear. It may be obvious to you and some other posters but it is not to me. I’m sure it will seem obvious to me after I learn it but I think most folks would agree that reducing the occurrence of not-commonly-known acronyms on the SDMB helps the fight against ignorance. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/45 "2018-07-10T04:21:05Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Trump, for one. > [@OldGuy](#): > > No one believes that more than Trump who goes on and on about how he’d have won it without millions of illegal votes. Well, Trump appears slightly nutty, doesn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/46 "2018-07-10T04:35:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Not a chance. And there is nothing illegitimate about the current court except in the imagination of some people. Do you forget that the Republicans prevented a vote on Obama’s nominated justice? The court has been illegitimate ever since then. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/47 "2018-07-10T04:36:40Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Hi. I would have appreciated it if you had spelled out what SES means in your post as it is not clear. It may be obvious to you and some other posters but it is not to me. > > I’m sure it will seem obvious to me after I learn it but I think most folks would agree that reducing the occurrence of not-commonly-known acronyms on the SDMB helps the fight against ignorance. > > Thanks Based on the comment he was responding to: socio-economic status. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/48 "2018-07-10T04:53:44Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > After the midterms this administration will be castrated and the operative issues before the court will be “can the president pardon himself?” and “can a sitting president be indicted?” Except for the Chief Justice, who will be taking up temporary quarters in the Senate. > > The incoming Democratic Senate will thwart any future nomination. In 2014, I asked you about predictions you had offered up that were similarly optimistic, but very wrong: > [@GOP still trending to win Senate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-still-trending-to-win-senate/695426/1334): > > My question for 2014 – are you going to address, even obliquely, how utterly wrong your predictions were? You replied: > [@GOP still trending to win Senate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-still-trending-to-win-senate/695426/1344): > > They were based on an overestimate of the intelligence of the electorate. I did not see any way that such a silly little ditz like Ernst could pick up Iowa, nor did I think that a cockroach like Walker could win once exposed to the light. > > I’m much more optimistic about the 2016 prospects, when the intellectually challenged among us won’t be voting to spite Obama. In 2016, also, your prediction was wrong. But again you’re offering up confident predictions. So my question to you now is: is there any number of successive incorrect predictions that will cause you to stop offering predictions on the grounds that perhaps you’re not as strong a seer as one might expect from your confident tone? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/49 "2018-07-10T05:02:40Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Do you forget that the Republicans prevented a vote on Obama’s nominated justice? The court has been illegitimate ever since then. No, it hasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/50 "2018-07-10T05:23:58Z")
Is there any other democratic country where the politicians choose the judges? This looks to me like a flaw in the US constitution. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/51 "2018-07-10T05:27:27Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > No, it hasn’t. Your honor, I do so regret this sudden reversal of events, especially since the defendant was found with the victim’s blood on the hedge trimmer he was swinging around, whilst singing “Ding, dong, the witch is dead”. **But the defendant has invoked the potent legal phrase** **“Nuh-uhhhh”** , therefore exonerating himself of any further culpability for anything he has ever said or done. I therefore recommend that everyone in the courtroom retire to their nearest pub for a pint of “WTF?” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/52 "2018-07-10T05:28:10Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > …perhaps you’re not as strong a seer as one might expect from your confident tone? He’s got you there, hoss! That _tone_! Take a lesson from the Board’s foremost paragon of modesty and decorum. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/53 "2018-07-10T05:32:14Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > No, it hasn’t. Maybe not illegitimate, but it’s certainly hypocritical of the Republicans to try to force this pick through prior to the midterms, when they drug ass to keep the then-PotUS from doing his job of appointing a replacement for Scalia until after the election. That’s dirty pool, and McConnell et al have no room to bitch if the confirmation doesn’t happen before the midterm elections. That said, I read an op/ed recently that suggested that, due to changing demographic makeups (including ethnic diversity and population growth), once the Democrats have control of the Senate, House, and Oval Office, they should propose adding additional judges to create a supermajority. I can see the appeal of that. I also see how that has the potential to backfire drastically. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/54 "2018-07-10T05:39:14Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Maybe not illegitimate, but it’s certainly hypocritical of the Republicans to try to force this pick through prior to the midterms, when they drug ass to keep the then-PotUS from doing his job of appointing a replacement for Scalia until after the election. That’s dirty pool, and McConnell et al have no room to bitch if the confirmation doesn’t happen before the midterm elections. > > That said, I read an op/ed recently that suggested that, due to changing demographic makeups (including ethnic diversity and population growth), once the Democrats have control of the Senate, House, and Oval Office, they should propose adding additional judges to create a supermajority. > > I can see the appeal of that. I also see how that has the potential to backfire drastically. Yeah. So what would stop the Republicans from doing that right now? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/55 "2018-07-10T07:21:43Z")
One obvious reason that they don’t do it NOW is that they can’t be 100% sure that the midterms will play out. It could backfire if they passed the resolution, only to have the Democrats win the majorities, and be able to seat the liberal justices that the Republicans are hoping to avoid. Also, it’s a total dick move. And, while the Republicans are no strangers to dick moves, I think that there are enough voters who lean right but aren’t Trump supporters who could potentially see this as a little too far as an overreach. The optics don’t look good, and some of the non-fringe party members might think it goes too far. It’s not, for lack of a better term, “fair & balanced.” A lot of liberals on this site excoriate the Republicans for any move they make, thinking that they’re nothing but evil. Maybe I’m too idealistic, but I think that there are plenty of rightwingers who still have a sense of decorum, and know that Spiderman comics were correct in saying that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. They realize exactly how easy it would be for their own leaders to destroy the America that they personally are wanting to hold onto. Does that make sense? It did in my head. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/56 "2018-07-10T11:55:49Z")
“Power corrupts,” was Lord Acton. Spider-Man’s motto is, “With great power comes great responsibility.” I think the right wing’s motto is, “It’s good to be the king.” ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/57 "2018-07-10T12:12:28Z")
Thanks for the correction. I knew looking at it that the exact words didn’t feel 100% accurate, but Nyquil was involved, so I’m not surprised that I couldn’t stick the landing, so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_lining](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/58 "2018-07-10T12:13:29Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > One obvious reason that they don’t do it NOW is that they can’t be 100% sure that the midterms will play out. It could backfire if they passed the resolution, only to have the Democrats win the majorities, and be able to seat the liberal justices that the Republicans are hoping to avoid. > > Also, it’s a total dick move. And, while the Republicans are no strangers to dick moves, I think that there are enough voters who lean right but aren’t Trump supporters who could potentially see this as a little too far as an overreach. The optics don’t look good, and some of the non-fringe party members might think it goes too far. It’s not, for lack of a better term, “fair & balanced.” > > A lot of liberals on this site excoriate the Republicans for any move they make, thinking that they’re nothing but evil. Maybe I’m too idealistic, but I think that there are plenty of rightwingers who still have a sense of decorum, and know that Spiderman comics were correct in saying that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. They realize exactly how easy it would be for their own leaders to destroy the America that they personally are wanting to hold onto. > > Does that make sense? It did in my head. Superdude, The “Biden Rule” was always about presidential election years, not midterm election years. In fact, as recently as 2010, the Senate voted to confirm Justice Elena Kagan in a midterm election year. Was that a di@k move too? I think we are going to see Democrats giving the public a lot of double standards and false narratives. As for the optics not looking good, just wait until the public leaned how Dem’s weaponized the FBI, and that Muller has nothing at all on Trump. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/59 "2018-07-10T12:17:35Z")
Also, if you can gain the upper hand with things as they are – and they have, smashingly – why change them and take a chance on a backfire. Besides you still have a nontrivial number of actually conservative conservatives around, plus a significant number of plain old reactionaries, who want to roll things _back_, not to add new complications. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-facing-the-equivalent-of-political-checkmate-with-the-supreme-court-for-the-next-25-30/817566/60 "2018-07-10T13:01:29Z")
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