White House: Obama 'regrets' his filibuster of Supreme Court nominee

[YellowSnow51]

I wonder if Huey will tell them he really didn't filibuster.

http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...grets-his-filibuster-of-supreme-court-nominee

President Obama “regrets” filibustering the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in 2006, his top spokesman said Wednesday, though he maintains that the Republican opposition to his effort to replace Justice Antonin Scalia is unprecedented.

“That is an approach the president regrets,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.


Obama and the Democratic senators who joined him in filibustering Alito “should have been in the position where they were making a public case” against the merits of his nomination to the high court instead, Earnest said.
“They shouldn’t have looked for a way to just throw sand in the gears of the process."

 

[dbq hawk 32]

Well as long as he's sorry...

 

[naturalmwa]

Well as long as he's sorry...

True, repentance is key in Islam. In the Quran it says, “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

I wonder if Huey will tell them he really didn't filibuster.

http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...grets-his-filibuster-of-supreme-court-nominee

President Obama “regrets” filibustering the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in 2006, his top spokesman said Wednesday, though he maintains that the Republican opposition to his effort to replace Justice Antonin Scalia is unprecedented.

“That is an approach the president regrets,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.


Obama and the Democratic senators who joined him in filibustering Alito “should have been in the position where they were making a public case” against the merits of his nomination to the high court instead, Earnest said.
“They shouldn’t have looked for a way to just throw sand in the gears of the process."

That's different

 

[The Tradition]

Damn, he didn't even personally say he's sorry, he sent his spokesman to provide the regrets.

 

[hawkssox1]

And he doesn't have the nad's to show up for the funeral.Golf?

 

[TexMichFan]

Of course he is sorry he does not want it to happen to one of his nominees

 

[aflachawk]

I wonder if Huey will tell them he really didn't filibuster.

http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...grets-his-filibuster-of-supreme-court-nominee

President Obama “regrets” filibustering the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in 2006, his top spokesman said Wednesday, though he maintains that the Republican opposition to his effort to replace Justice Antonin Scalia is unprecedented.

“That is an approach the president regrets,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.


Obama and the Democratic senators who joined him in filibustering Alito “should have been in the position where they were making a public case” against the merits of his nomination to the high court instead, Earnest said.
“They shouldn’t have looked for a way to just throw sand in the gears of the process."

Its a bitch when the proverbial shoe is on the other foot. BHO will either get his way or go to all out war footing with the Republicans over this. I just wish he took the same line with Iran, China and Russia as he does with Republicans. With them he cares only about getting an agreement(no matter how much it injures our country) with Republicans its a win at costs strategy.

 

[Huey Grey]

I wonder if Huey will tell them he really didn't filibuster.

http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...grets-his-filibuster-of-supreme-court-nominee

President Obama “regrets” filibustering the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in 2006, his top spokesman said Wednesday, though he maintains that the Republican opposition to his effort to replace Justice Antonin Scalia is unprecedented.

“That is an approach the president regrets,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.


Obama and the Democratic senators who joined him in filibustering Alito “should have been in the position where they were making a public case” against the merits of his nomination to the high court instead, Earnest said.
“They shouldn’t have looked for a way to just throw sand in the gears of the process."

Good. Glad that Obama is at least adult enough to admit when he is wrong. Something the current Republicans could learn a lesson from.

 

[22*43*51]

Good. Glad that Obama is at least adult enough to admit when he is wrong. Something the current Republicans could learn a lesson from.

Why wait until now?

Except that is politically convenient.

Do as I say, not as I do.

 

[NoleSoup4U]

True, repentance is key in Islam. In the Quran it says, “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Is that before or after it tells men to rape women and then stone them to death because they aren't clean?

 

[NoleSoup4U]

Why wait until now?

Except that is politically convenient.

Do as I say, not as I do.

Exactly. These words from Obama are hollow.

 

[Huey Grey]

Why wait until now?

Except that is politically convenient.

Do as I say, not as I do.

I certainly don't see the Republicans taking responsibility for any of their BS. And let's not forget. At least Obama knew who he was opposing. GOP is simply saying they will oppose everybody. Call this leadership if you want, but it isn't.

 

[NoleSoup4U]

I certainly don't see the Republicans taking responsibility for any of their BS. And let's not forget. At least Obama knew who he was opposing. GOP is simply saying they will oppose everybody. Call this leadership if you want, but it isn't.

That's a whole lot of words to not even attempt to address his post. You definitely watch too many talking heads on TV.

 

[WhiteSoxClone]

Good. Glad that Obama is at least adult enough to admit when he is wrong. Something the current Republicans could learn a lesson from.

Hmm, the timing of his come to Jesus moment is, shall we say, a bit suspect.

 

[Huey Grey]

That's a whole lot of words to not even attempt to address his post. You definitely watch too many talking heads on TV.

Could Obama just be saying this because it's politically expedient to do so after Scalia's passing? Perhaps. But since Obama was critical of the filibuster even in 2006, I'm guessing that he's being honest in his regret.

"Well, I will be supporting the filibuster because I think Judge Alito, in fact, is somebody who is contrary to core American values, not just liberal values, you know. When you look at his decisions in particular during times of war, we need a court that is independent and is going to provide some check on the executive branch, and he has not shown himself willing to do that repeatedly. I will say this, though, I think that the Democrats have to do a much better job in making their case on these issues. These last-minute efforts using procedural maneuvers inside the Beltway, I think, has been the wrong way of going about it, and we need to recognize, because Judge Alito will be confirmed, that if we're going to oppose a nominee that we've got to persuade the American people that, in fact, their values are at stake and frankly I'm not sure that we've successfully done that."

 

[Huey Grey]

Hmm, the timing of his come to Jesus moment is, shall we say, a bit suspect.

See my above post. Obama had big problems with the filibuster even in 2006.

 

[22*43*51]

I certainly don't see the Republicans taking responsibility for any of their BS. And let's not forget. At least Obama knew who he was opposing. GOP is simply saying they will oppose everybody. Call this leadership if you want, but it isn't.

I am happy about the gridlock that the Republicans cause.

Change in our Republic should be arduous and come by a difficult to obtain consensus.

Otherwise, we are governing off of illogical emotion, which 100 years from now will be difficult to live with.

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

Good. Glad that Obama is at least adult enough to admit when he is wrong. Something the current Republicans could learn a lesson from.

Sorry that's pretty lame. Basically "Yes I know they are doing the same thing that I did a while ago, but I regret it now that I'm on the other side of the fence, so they should stop doing it."

And it's worthwhile to point out that he just had his spokesman say he regrets it now. He didn't say it himself. . . Nor did he apologize to Bush, Alito, or the American people.

I think this is a silly game that both sides play that doesn't help our country at all. But he doesn't deserve any applause for his change of heart when he's on the other side of the fence.

 

[Huey Grey]

Sorry that's pretty lame. Basically "Yes I know they are doing the same thing that I did a while ago, but I regret it now that I'm on the other side of the fence, so they should stop doing it."

And it's worthwhile to point out that he just had his spokesman say he regrets it now. He didn't say it himself. . . Nor did he apologize to Bush, Alito, or the American people.

I think this is a silly game that both sides play that doesn't help our country at all. But he doesn't deserve any applause for his change of heart when he's on the other side of the fence.

But he didn't do the same thing. Not by a long shot. Obama knew who he was opposing and had specific complaints about that particular nominee which is more or less fair game. But the Republicans are declaring all nominees off limits. They have no idea who Obama might nominate. They are simply saying that they won't allow any new additions for a full year. That isn't fair game. There is a big difference.

 

[WhiteSoxClone]

See my above post. Obama had big problems with the filibuster even in 2006.

If you don't understand what's going on here, then perhaps you need to think a bit about this. This is all political strategy. The Republicans are posturing to try to get Obama to nominate a moderate. Their leverage is, we can draw this out until there is a new President if necessary. The President wants to make this nomination and his leverage is that if the Republicans draw this out, it will energize the Democratic base for November. If Obama nominates a liberal, he takes a big gamble that he doesn't get to pick this justice in the end. If the Republicans draw this out, they take a big gamble that it backfires on them in November. This is standard negotiating tactics by both sides - threaten your nuclear option at the beginning to try to get the other side to meet you in the middle. In the end, Obama probably gets to make this pick, but he has to nominate a moderate to get it done.

Stop acting like the Republicans aren't willing to compromise. Perhaps they aren't, but its still the first round and way to early to make that call. What has occurred up to this point is pretty recognizable for anyone who has ever been involved in difficult negotiations between two parties with opposing interests.

 

[Huey Grey]

If you don't understand what's going on here, then perhaps you need to think a bit about this. This is all political strategy. The Republicans are posturing to try to get Obama to nominate a moderate. Their leverage is, we can draw this out until there is a new President if necessary. The President wants to make this nomination and his leverage is that if the Republicans draw this out, it will energize the Democratic base for November. If Obama nominates a liberal, he takes a big gamble that he doesn't get to pick this justice in the end. If the Republicans draw this out, they take a big gamble that it backfires on them in November. This is standard negotiating tactics by both sides - threaten your nuclear option at the beginning to try to get the other side to meet you in the middle. In the end, Obama probably gets to make this pick, but he has to nominate a moderate to get it done.

Stop acting like the Republicans aren't willing to compromise. Perhaps they aren't, but its still the first round and way to early to make that call. What has occurred up to this point is pretty recognizable for anyone who has ever been involved in difficult negotiations between two parties with opposing interests.

I highly doubt this was calculated posturing. Keep in mind that the Republicans came mere hours after Scalia died and said they wouldn't take anyone. I don't think they would have had the time to craft this plan, call everyone up, and keep everyone in line to stick to these talking points.

And do I really need to even comment about Republicans being unwilling to compromise?

 

[Titanhawk2]

Good. Glad that Obama is at least adult enough to admit when he is wrong. Something the current Republicans could learn a lesson from.

But he hasn't. His spokesman has. And it's not that "adult" when you only do it to get your way now. "Oh yeah, I was wrong then, but I'm right now". Adult, sure. A kid wouldn't respond that way. A conniving adult would

 

[WhiteSoxClone]

I highly doubt this was calculated posturing. Keep in mind that the Republicans came mere hours after Scalia died and said they wouldn't take anyone. I don't think they would have had the time to craft this plan, call everyone up, and keep everyone in line to stick to these talking points.

And do I really need to even comment about Republicans being unwilling to compromise?

Its pointless talking to people like you who always view the other side as totally evil and their side as always righteous.

 

[22*43*51]

I highly doubt this was calculated posturing. Keep in mind that the Republicans came mere hours after Scalia died and said they wouldn't take anyone. I don't think they would have had the time to craft this plan, call everyone up, and keep everyone in line to stick to these talking points.

And do I really need to even comment about Republicans being unwilling to compromise?

Compromise.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

 

[Huey Grey]

But he hasn't. His spokesman has. And it's not that "adult" when you only do it to get your way now. "Oh yeah, I was wrong then, but I'm right now". Adult, sure. A kid wouldn't respond that way. A conniving adult would

This might be true if it wasn't for the fact that Obama criticized his party for filibustering in the first place. He's more of less being consistent here.

 

[Huey Grey]

Its pointless talking to people like you who always view the other side as totally evil and their side as always righteous.

You serious? You said that this was a calculated plan by the GOP to force Obama into nominating a moderate. I said that they wouldn't have had time to craft such a plan. What does any of that have to do with righteousness? GOP had a knee jerk reaction to Scalia dying. Not my problem you refuse to see this.

 

[WhiteSoxClone]

You serious? You said that this was a calculated plan by the GOP to force Obama into nominating a moderate. I said that they wouldn't have had time to craft such a plan. What does any of that have to do with righteousness? GOP had a knee jerk reaction to Scalia dying. Not my problem you refuse to see this.

Honestly, you're delusional.

 

[Huey Grey]

Honestly, you're delusional.

Your arguments suck so bad you can't even stand by them. Why don't you answer my question?

 

[thewop]

This is a great thread, and I appreciated seeing obama's words from 2006 (though looking back, it's hard to say he was right about our values in the respect he was arguing). Here's the thing though, I just can't bring myself to believe that his change in stance is anything but political maneuvering, and terribly convenient for him. He's too partisan on everything else to believe otherwise. Personally I think he should nominate the replacement, but certainly has no leg to stand on if it doesn't come to fruition.

 

[Huey Grey]

This is a great thread, and I appreciated seeing obama's words from 2006 (though looking back, it's hard to say he was right about our values in the respect he was arguing). Here's the thing though, I just can't bring myself to believe that his change in stance is anything but political maneuvering, and terribly convenient for him. He's too partisan on everything else to believe otherwise. Personally I think he should nominate the replacement, but certainly has no leg to stand on if it doesn't come to fruition.

Why would you think he's being different now? He clearly said he thinks the Dems are wrong to use this form of blockage instead of stopping Alito based on merit. Not sure how Obama can say something like this in 2006, but then be accused of being politically expedient when he more or less says the same thing today?

 

[ICWestfan]

 

[86Hawkeye]

Good. Glad that Obama is at least adult enough to admit when he is wrong. Something the current Republicans could learn a lesson from.

Hint: He's not really sorry. He just wants HIS nominee to not be filibustered.

 

[thewop]

Why would you think he's being different now? He clearly said he thinks the Dems are wrong to use this form of blockage instead of stopping Alito based on merit. Not sure how Obama can say something like this in 2006, but then be accused of being politically expedient when he more or less says the same thing today?

because he went along with it then. Like in anything, you have to go with what they DO, not with what they SAY.

 

[hawkland14]

Hmm, the timing of his come to Jesus moment is, shall we say, a bit suspect.

Just like it was with same-sex marriage. I remember in 08' he sat down with Rick Warren and was adamantly against it, now he is the leading advocate for same-sex marriage. What a politician.

 

[Jan Itor]

Well as long as he's sorry...

I didn't hear him say he's sorry.

 

[Jan Itor]

Your arguments suck so bad you can't even stand by them. Why don't you answer my question?

Have you heard Obama apologize? If you did, did it seem genuine?

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

But he didn't do the same thing. Not by a long shot. Obama knew who he was opposing and had specific complaints about that particular nominee which is more or less fair game. But the Republicans are declaring all nominees off limits. They have no idea who Obama might nominate. They are simply saying that they won't allow any new additions for a full year. That isn't fair game. There is a big difference.

The difference isn't that major. It's doubtful that Obama would have really gotten behind anyone that Bush was going to nominate so it hardly matters. The republicans are basically coming out and saying it.

I'll bet if Obama somehow nominated a person who was basically a younger version of Scalia they would find it in their hearts to confirm him. But Obama's not going to nominate a guy like that and they know it and we know it.