While we mourn the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the reality is her passing has thrust the Supreme Court into the forefront of the presidential race. And Justice Ginsburg knew that would happen. The Justice herself had this on her mind in her final days. NPR is reporting that in a statement dictated to her granddaughter Clara Spera days before her death, Ginsburg said:
“My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new President is installed.”
As the New York Times reports, “Senate Republicans have promised to try to fill the vacancy even in the waning days of his first term. The confirmation battle, in the midst of a pandemic and a presidential election, is sure to be titanic.”
And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledging to try and replace RBG. He quickly released a statement Friday night saying, “President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.”
But if a handful of Republican Senators raised serious concerns, there is a chance McConnell would realize a confirmation before the end of Trump’s first term might be impossible. We are hearing that a few Senators may already be expressing some hesitation. A journalist with Alaska Public Media has reportedly gotten word that Lisa Murkowski wouldn’t support a nominee before January 20th.
Four senators would have to vote with the Democrats in order to block a Trump nominee.
And here’s what Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is saying.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden, said in Delaware after returning from a campaign trip: “There is no doubt, and let me be clear, that the voters should pick the president, and the president should pick the justice for the Senate to consider.”