Four of the chamber’s most vulnerable GOP incumbents — Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Rob Portman (Ohio) — voted to confirm Lynch, who faced a long delay in being confirmed as the first African-American female to head the Justice Department. Ten Republicans in total joined Democrats in supporting her nomination.
Two other at-risk Republicans, Sens. Pat Toomey (Pa.) and Richard Burr (N.C.), opposed Lynch, whose nomination was held up more than 160 days because of an unrelated dispute over abortion restrictions in a bill to curb human trafficking.
Republicans are largely on defense this cycle, defending 24 seats to Democrats’ 10, coming off a year in which they won control of the Senate. But that majority is already in danger next year, with many of those members up for election in swing states which trend Democratic in presidential years.
All four of the Republicans who voted to confirm Lynch are from those states. The vote gives them an opportunity to tout their bipartisanship and reach out to African-American voters.
Conversely, Democrats likely will use the "no" votes from Toomey and Burr against them.
Ayotte, who was New Hampshire’s first female state attorney general, called Lynch a “clearly qualified nominee” and “a well-respected U.S. attorney with a proven record and significant experience handling difficult cases.”
Portman slammed outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, a favorite target of Republicans, and went on to call Lynch someone whose “long career as a federal prosecutor would bring a different, and less politicized, perspective to the job.”
Toomey defended his vote against confirming Lynch, saying he did not believe she could "carry out the duty of attorney general to uphold the Constitution."
Some will support her because she’s a woman… some will support her because she is black… some will support her because she is a democrat… some will support her because she backs Obamas overreach with respect to immigration … some like the congressional black caucus will use race to push people to vote in the affirmative and some will support here even though she is a strong proponent of taking property away from people who haven’t even been convicted of anything…but few even care if she has even read the constitution much less whether she will follow it." The president has his Attorney General… let’s hope she proves to be less inept or as racially devisice as her predecessor.
ReplyDeleteShe like her predecessor will carry the water and follow instructions from her president.
DeleteEach new president has expanded the power of the presidency, made the office more divisive, refused to enforce laws.
Can't wait for the next one as new levels can be achieved.
Guess the GOP forgot why they were sent to Washington.
The GOP is like every other party personal preservation is job 1
DeleteThere is zero difference between Repub's and Democrats when it comes to re-election. They both will do anything to retain power.
DeleteHence the poster children for term limits.
“The GOP is like every other party personal preservation is job 1”
DeleteYou are of course correct but there truly are times when someone should be rejected because they aren’t suited for the job and if we believe that everything is about political success then we must assume that the Democratic party is like any other party in that they will select the most bias appointees to their cause… I don’t want to believe that is true… but it probably is
It’s about time we unlock the political system from its two party stranglehold and see what shakes out. Even stretching the ballot to 4 would be good… but unfortunately the American electorate would be so confused you would have to color code the ballot so they can find the candidate they are supposed to vote for…. Anything more that D & R would be way to confusing and be considered as being an impediment to voters being able to pick the ‘right’ candidate….
it'll never happen. Money has control and Citizens United assured that for posterity.
DeleteHere's the difference TS. we democrats already know that we are lowlife scumbucket scallwags. The right tells us that everyday. But your people talk of their "principles" which all the sudden are no more stuck then a democrats when in danger of losing their sacred power. That goes to all three parties of today if you want to include the teas. this tea party darling Renee Ellmers here in NC was a tree twisting in the wind when she had to run a real campaign last time out. Clay Aiken yes the gay singer was cleaning her clock and she all the sudden was for immigration reform a pathway to citizenship, women's rights gay rights, because the sensible people of the district /nation see that it's the right things to do in all three instances. The center people where American elections are won. but now back in Washington now she is right back in the romper room with the other 51 brats. Principles? bullshit they are all the same.
Deletebullshit they are all the same.
DeleteYes, politicians are all the same. Congrads, you get it.
perhaps it's time for change we can all believe in starting with dumping the 2 parties that made this mess.
Yes Rick, it is a shame that to get to Washington to do something worthwhile you have to placate an electorate that has no idea what is in their best interest… except for the promise of that monthly check. Immigration doesn’t matter… your conscience is clear if you can rationalize your monthly check because of too many immigrants and too few jobs… Anyone with a real thought process knows that real women’s ‘rights’ have never been challenged by republicans… wants and lack of personal responsibility perhaps…
DeleteYes, it is to bad that people in America can't listen to the truth about the many problems that exist in our society today....
TS,
ReplyDeleteAs long as it doesn't directly affect people they ignore the issue and problems it may cause. When it does affect people they cry to government to fix it (raise the minimum wage) instead of addressing the real issue, immigration. Welcome to the new America.