She says the Obie will get a couple of wacky libs on lower courts, but won't be able to pack the DC circuit because the house is in no friggn' mood to increase their budget to expand the number of judges.
Secondly, that ugly mood will cause all sorts of trouble; slow playing any nominees, totally refusing to approve a SC nomination should one occur (3/5ths still needed for legislation and SC nominees at this point)
For legislation the house can simply refuse to take up any legislation that has not passed the 3/5th gauntlet.
Finally, the timing is particularly bad, since Dems are looking at losing the senate in short order, short enough that a slow play tactic would nullify most everything.
All in all, its not the end of the world. Still, I love the idea that the Senate is supposed to be a body that gums up the whole works and makes change very slow, deliberate, and supported by more than one party. What's to stop Reid from adopting a simple majority for everything ? Feldman says fear of the bite-back is greater than the short term win.
I hope you’re right.
And I like that gambit about the House changing THEIR rules to refuse legislature without a super-majority.
I got a bridge to sell you should you think the pubs will do any of that.
I don't think expansion is the issue. I believe there are 3 openings currently. If this is true, it is Obama's intention to fill those 3 and tilt the court left.