Romney Open To Sotomayor Filibuster

Former Massachusetts' Governor Mitt Romney made the case on Thursday that the GOP should not rule out the use of a filibuster on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

"I think the process that was applied during the Bush administration should be the same process applied during the Obama administration," said the potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate at a forum in Virginia. "I don't believe in the nuclear option ... on either side of the aisle."

The remarks, while a bit opaque, suggest that Romney believes Republicans in the Senate should be open to applying a 60-vote threshold to Sotomayor's nomination. And, in a bit of irony, they provide some vindication to his one-time rival, Sen. John McCain. The Arizona Republican was pilloried to great lengths by fellow conservatives for his role in brokering the Gang of 14 compromise that helped stave off the Nuclear Option when Justice Samuel Alito was nominated. Now, with a Democratic president in office, the political calculus behind that decision gets more appreciation within the GOP.

As for Sotomayor, Romney stressed that she deserved a "full and fair" hearing. But he added that statements she had made in the past were "troubling." Asked if the tone had gone too far with conservatives claiming that the Supreme Court nominee was a reverse racist, Romney largely demurred.

"Of course there are some things she said that are troubling for those of us who believe that the job of a justice is to follow the law and the constitution, not to create law," he said. "But let's give her a chance to explain her views, to describe her record and to be party to a full and complete fair process. And let's do it in a very civil and respectful manner."

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Comments

[sippewissett]

03:25 AM on 06/29/2009

Go away, Romney. You have not been elected to office and cannot either vote on Sotomayor or philibuster her. Stop trying to drive strategy from your armchair.

[theclosetconservative2]

09:54 PM on 06/02/2009

If Harry Reid does that he sets a precedent he does not want. So I doubt it. I doubt it'll even be necessary. The GOP doesn't have the numbers. But they do have the power to educate. Hopefull they'll follow Governor Romney's lead. http://theclosetconservative.com

[dancucich]

03:47 AM on 06/01/2009

Filibuster Sonia Sotomayor?

Perhaps Mitt Romney has forgotten that Harry Reid, (if he has the courage) can simply change the senate rules to prohibit filibusters of Supreme Court Nominees, and confirm her by simple majority vote. The filibuster is not a legal or constitutional right. It is merely a senate rule that can be changed by a simple majority vote.

We should nip this in the bud by holding Reid's feet to the fire, by writing him a letter demanding
that he exercise the so-called "nuclear option" if the republicans get crazy and filibuster Sotomayer.

.http://www.slate.com/id/2117015/


http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/~wjs/NuclearOption.htm

[bluetopia]

10:59 AM on 05/31/2009

Mittens is so fila-busted! We'll care about your "strategery " when you get elected to something -anything.

[Daveg000]

10:11 AM on 05/31/2009

Didn't his daddy unsuccessfully run for President numerous times?

Family Tradition!

He seems very slippery (slimy?) to me.

Completly in the pocket of Big Business. No clue about the worries of the common man. No clue that the common man is tired of getting the short end of the stick.

[jsingleton361]

03:37 AM on 05/31/2009

why is this guy still talking?

[MichiganAccomplished]

02:11 AM on 05/31/2009

I think Senator Romney should...oh wait...he's not a senator.

[CherryIce1988]

10:42 PM on 05/30/2009

Does Mitt Romney even hold any elected office right now?

[Rogo99]

10:31 AM on 05/31/2009

He does not, nor do any of the other major bigmouths (R-N-C) spouting off about the issues of the day.

[CeeLee]

09:52 PM on 05/30/2009

Romney let John McCain treat him like his water boy and his deep pockets didn't give him the edge or the courage to run his own campaign like a real man and not dodge his own religion and ignore the "base". Romney should go back home and leave running any political games to folks who know how.

[Leota2]

05:39 PM on 05/30/2009

Who cares what you think Mittens. Go back to one of your homes.

[RedKnuckles]

12:51 AM on 05/31/2009

Stop making fun of Willard's name.

[edwarvir]

02:57 PM on 05/30/2009

Why can't these guys just go away. They have
nothing positive to say.

[theclosetconservative2]

10:02 PM on 06/02/2009

They do. Unfortunately you probably stick your fingers in your ears and start humming so you miss it. http://theclosetconservative.com

[StillAmused]

01:35 PM on 05/30/2009

... which is why this empty dashboard statuette will never see higher office.

[towny]

01:30 PM on 05/30/2009

I think Mitt's magic underpants are all bunched up!

[Dystopic]

01:19 PM on 05/30/2009

The country will never elect a mormon, plain and simple.

Once the stories about the posthoumous baptisms, and a delving into the magic underpants ...

No Chance Romney

[zest]

01:14 PM on 05/30/2009

Mitt you're out of office and unlikely to be elected to another. Go away quietly and enjoy your millions.