Discussion: GOP Sen. Says He Would Be Willing To Vote On Obama SCOTUS Nominee

system1 · February 17, 2016, 1:18pm

Discussion for article #246088

365daysofhorror · February 17, 2016, 1:20pm

All of this “wait until after the election” bs makes me feel like Walter from The Big Lebowski.

beattycat · February 17, 2016, 1:33pm

"I strongly agree that the American people should decide the future direction of the Supreme Court by their votes for president and the majority party in the U.S. Senate," Johnson said in a statement.

Good so far.

Though he said he does not believe Obama should nominate the next justice, in two separate interviews on Tuesday, Johnson said that he is not against the Senate allowing the confirmation process to take place.

BAM! Liar!! Liar!!! Gee, sounds like this Republican got caught talking out of both sides of his body – mouth and butt-hole. Must be up for re-election in a blue-leaning state.

antisachetdethe · February 17, 2016, 1:33pm

“I have no idea how the process plays out, I’m not in control of it. …”

You’ve been in the Senate 5 years and don’t know how it works?

bp · February 17, 2016, 1:38pm

This guy gives hypocrisy a bad name. Hypocrite!!!

arc_of_the_universe · February 17, 2016, 1:42pm

This guy has been spouting so much shit in so many ways from so many orifices for so long that it’s difficult to tell which asshole to plug.

imkmu3 · February 17, 2016, 1:43pm

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who is running for re-election this year
against former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), on Tuesday said that he is not
opposed to the Senate taking a vote on President Obama’s nominee to
replace Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away over the
weekend.

Shorter: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) agrees to think about doing his job. Maybe.

ajaykalra · February 17, 2016, 1:46pm

Johnson: I never really said that. I will be willing to consider the willingness to vote. I haven’t yet decided whether willingness to vote is worth the consideration.

jalus · February 17, 2016, 1:48pm

“I would also say that doing nothing is also an action,”
Sen, Ron Johnson said

And that is what the Senate Republicans are most noted for, doing nothing. The only actions they have perfected is doing nothing, obstruction and collecting a government check for doing nothing.

So be sure and get out the vote, and replace him or you get exactly what you deserve. Unfortunately, the rest of us get what you deserve as well.

ncsteve · February 17, 2016, 1:52pm

This guy is like Richard Burr’s evil mirror universe twin. Burr is a quiet moderate for four years and then becomes progressively more extreme and loud in the last two. Johnson was a loud extremist for four and then is a progressively quieter and more moderate figure for two.

Burr’s IQ is over 100, so there’s that difference too, of course . . .

maxaroo · February 17, 2016, 2:00pm

“Well, John, we might,” Johnson responded. “What I’ve heard Leader McConnell say — and maybe he said something else — is let’s, in the end, let the American people decide. So, if president Obama appoints a Justice Scalia clone, my guess is we confirm a Justice Scalia clone.”

And that, my friends, is how you “let the American people decide”; by deciding for them what they should decide.

dave_mb · February 17, 2016, 2:01pm

We’ll shoot him and then give him a fair trial.

richardinjax · February 17, 2016, 2:06pm

I guess the hack that came up with the “American people should decide” crap got a big check. Sure this asshole will be willing to vote. Vote no. It’s always about them. The GOP nothing else matters.

sysprog · February 17, 2016, 2:06pm

‘Let the American people decide!’ while we won’t do a damn thing. Yep.

litho · February 17, 2016, 2:07pm

Johnson is dead in the water, running consistently ten points behind Russ Feingold over the last two and a half years of polling. Feingold is probably the most popular politician in the state, and only lost to Johnson in 2010 because of the Tea Party wave.

Johnson is desperate, but it’s not going to help him. More important Republicans open to a vote include Collins and Tillis.

rich_in_nj · February 17, 2016, 2:09pm

All these Repugs claim to believe in the Constitution yet they somehow think a president’s term is three years. Newsflash: the people have decided. They chose Obama… TWICE!!!

whiteboar · February 17, 2016, 2:09pm

Well, Johnson is about to get rolled like an Easter egg in this upcoming election, so he’s having to try and walk it back. Let’s just say his constituency and Richard Burr’s are not similar.

brooklyndweller · February 17, 2016, 2:09pm

I was just thinking that. The Blue state senators up for re-election must have seen the handwriting on the wall after the media exposed the hypocracy for what it is. Kirk, Johnson et al. have got to walk a fine line however Johnson’s saying

“I have no idea how the process plays out, I’m not in control of it. I’m not the majority leader, I’m not chairman of the Judiciary. By the time I would actually take the vote, if it comes to that, I’ll take a vote.”

makes him sound like a total and complete moron.

progress · February 17, 2016, 2:11pm

… if he knew what the job was, or was in control. Otherwise, he’s content with muddled statements that, if seen in just the right light for a fleeting instant, might seem reasonable.

whiteboar · February 17, 2016, 2:13pm

We only need 4 Republican votes to confirm, if all the Democratic votes go for confirming. Who might be up for grabs? Johnson, Kirk, Collins and who? Ayotte? She’s in a blood match with Maggie Hassan. Toomey? McCain?