Mitch McConnell’s Stance in Confirmation Fight Could Help and Hurt G.O.P.
Mr. McConnell’s strategic affront — announcing just hours after Justice Scalia’s death that he would refuse to even consider a replacement — was presaged by other Republican moves over the last two years. A week ago, the Republican chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees said the president’s budget director should not be allowed to testify at their budget hearings, a move without modern precedent. Last year, Senate Republicans dragged out the confirmation of Attorney General Loretta Lynch for more than 150 days.
At the heart of nearly every major policy battle between the White House and congressional Republicans has been the contention by conservatives that Mr. Obama does not respect the Constitution, almost ensuring advance contempt for any nomination he would make.
.. Democrats were quick to criticize Mr. McConnell’s decision.
“McConnell’s precipitous action is reminiscent of his statement in 2010 that his prime goal was to prevent Mr. Obama’s re-election,” said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. “Obama hadn’t presented his proposals for the upcoming Congress; now he hasn’t named a nominee for the court.