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Some advice for Mitch McConnell

Some advice for Mitch McConnell

First, a bit of looking at the reality of the next appointment to the Supreme Court.  With the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer, President Biden has been handed the opportunity to name the replacement.  That is one of those “elections have consequence” realities.

We can safely bet that the Biden nominee – and the next person to join the bench – will be a black woman.  It will be a Democrat. It will be a liberal.  No getting around that.  It is also important that it will not change the balance of the Court.

So, what role should Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and the GOP senators do about it.  Since there is no way to stop the facts noted above, how hard should Senate Republicans fight the potential nominee.  In my judgment, not very much.  The most important battle is to prevent Biden from nominating the most radical candidate.

There is not enough time to stop a nomination from going up for a vote before the 2022 Midterm Elections.  And even if the Republicans were to take control of the Senate, there is definitely not enough time to hold up a nomination until January of 2023.  

McConnell held up the Merrick Garland nomination BECAUSE there was a PRESIDENTIAL election coming up.  He took a longshot gamble that it would be a Republican in the White House – and that would change the reality.  And he won his bet.  No matter what happens in 2022, Biden will still be in the White House for more than two years.  It would be impossible and stupid to even try to keep the seat open until January of 2025.

Republicans should not be going to the mat for an impossible objective – or some damaging devotion to symbolism.  Even that would not work.  

Democrats are counting on Republican senators to get vicious – especially the presidential contenders on the Judiciary Committee that will hold the confirmation hearings.  Beating up on a black lady is one of the standard accusations in the Democrat playbook.  That could cost the GOP some votes in November – and frankly not help the GOP in general.

So, what can McConnell do?

He should use the time Biden has provided to discuss the likely nominees with not only the members of his GOP caucus, but with key moderate Democrats – such as Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.   And there are other Democrats who might vote against the more extreme candidates.

McConnell can give Biden bipartisan support, but ONLY if the nominee is not one of the more extreme.  While there is much to be learned about the potential nominees. I would consider it a victory if a combine of Republicans and moderate Democrat senators made the nomination of D.C. Appellate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson dead on arrival.  Better yet, convince Biden not to nominate her.

McConnell and the Republicans have their greatest influence by using pressure to eliminate the more egregious nominees.  This will totally anger Biden’s hardcore progressives – such as Congresswomen Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley – but the left will be hard pressed to oppose the less extreme black female candidates.

Already, South Carolina Supreme Court Judge Michelle Childs has the support of powerful Democrat Congressman Jim Clyburn AND the states two Republican Senators, Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott.  Democrats like Manchin would almost assuredly vote for her.  He also would be very instrumental in telling Biden that his vote is not certain if the nominee is too far to the left.  He did say he could support a nominee to his left – but did not say how far left.

If McConnell can use his power to prevent the seating of a radical leftwing judge – without looking like it is an attack on a black woman — he will have accomplished the best results possible.  It would take away the Democrats effort to play the race and gender cards against Republicans.  A bipartisan vote would show the voters that Republicans can govern in a two-party system.

The most important phase of the debate is before a nominee is named.  This Supreme Court nomination is a hill that Republicans would fight to die on.  If McConnell can stop the most radical nomination, it will be as much of a victory as is possible.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

19 Comments

  1. Ben

    My advice to Mitch is to denounce Nazis.

    I’m fucking shocked to learn that the Republican party that wouldn’t denounce Nazis in Charlottesville is the same party that won’t denounce Nazis in Orlando. how fucking hard it is to denounce Nazis?

    • Bruce mccloud

      It takes one to know one asshole.

    • larry Horist

      Ben … You have not been keeping up on the news. I have seen MANY times that Republicans have denounced Nazism — along with white supremacy. Can you point me to any time that a Republican leader praised Nazis and white supremacists? Even Trump condemned the Nazis at Charlottesville — but I assume you never got past the edited and out-of-context portion of his remarks and the spin the leftwing media gave to it. I am not saying that in an ad hominin defense of Trump, but the spin on his statements at that time were totally deceptive. Just for the record, here is the main portion of what Trump said re Charlottesville.

      “… we condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of bigotry, hatred, and violence. It has no place in America. And as I have said many times before, no matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws; we all salute the same great flag; and we are all made by the same almighty God. We must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry, and violence. We must discover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans. Racism is evil, and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans. We are a nation founded on the truth that all of us are created equal. We are equal in the eyes of our creator, we are equal under the law, and we are equal under our constitution. Those who spread violence in the name of bigotry strike at the very core of America.”

  2. frank stetson

    For lack of a comma, Bruce admits he is an asshole. More importantly, he knows assholes.

    Well, Bruce got that one spot on…….

    Larry kinda stated the obvious here.

  3. bernard chope

    THE SEEDS OF COMMUNISM ARE BEING PLANTED ON THE SOIL, THAT FREEDOM IS ENDING ON.
    FREEDOM IS EASY TO LOSE, HARD TO GAIN AND RETAIN. THE CRIMINAL ILLEGAL COMING
    INTO AMERICA YELLED (I AM WILLING TO KILL) (TAKEN FROM E-MAIL) IS THIS THE TYPE OF
    FUTURE AMERICANS WE WANT???. SOME ARE ALREADY HERE. LOOSING AMERICAN FREEDOM
    OVER A (MASTER RACE) DREAM, IS OPENING THE CRACK TO & FROM HELL. THE COMMIES
    ENTERING AMERICA ARE BRINGING IN THEIR BELIEF THAT LIFE IS CHEAP.
    (YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW)
    OLD SOLDIER
    AMERICAN (IS THIS ONLY A THING OF THE PAST?)

  4. Ben

    Larry, Happy Black History Month, I look forward to your hard hitting commentary on the subject soon…or is that illegal to say in Florida?

    • Arnold

      We need white history month. White peoples history is more interesting and meaningful. I’m sick and tired of hearing about the first black that done this or that. All of the good any of them did went up in smoke in Portland and Kenosha and other cities. All because of white liberals not having the balls to put a stop to it.

      • frank stetson

        Yes, Arnold, you have been wronged all because the color of your skin. And the Black man is not worth your time to listen too because of Portland and Kenosha, and other cities, because Liberals won’t stop it. Poor white put-upon Arnold. Too much Black and not enough White for him.

        How do you feel about Jewish history? White people’s history more interesting? Sick and tired of hearing about the Holocaust? All the good any of “them” did went up in smoke in Palestine? Wall Street? Hollywood? All because white liberals not having the balls to stop them?

        How about Native Americans? Same story there?

        Or is it just the Black man that’s keeping you down? Harshing your mellow?

        • Arnold

          People of all races have been wronged sometimes. But what other races burn their cities? I feel no sympathy for people who does that. I personally think that everyone’s lives matter. I don’t bother them and I require the same from them. So far so good. But I’ll keep you posted

          • frank stetson

            I know you’re not a racist but……

            “But what other races burn their cities?” You’re kidding, right? How about which races likes to burn the other race’s cities, towns, homes, etc. Which race lynches the other race, historically speaking….. Or, which race enslaves other races throughout history? You really have got to be kidding, right? Which race made it’s nation on the backs of another race while decimating the indigenous race so they could steal their country? Come on Man, get serious.

            Of course everyone’s life matters. Does the existence of Black History Month change that? Does Black History Month diminish Whites in any manner at all? Or are you just pissed off because Blacks are getting some attention and you feel Whites aren’t getting their fair share?

            “I don’t bother them and I require the same from them.” Spoken as a true racist. Think about it: “them” are us, we are “them.” We are all Americans and while you can feel free to “bother or don’t bother,” but really —– you seem to be making that choice because of race. Is that really what you want to do? Because what do you think one calls a person who makes decisions based on skin color?

            Whites make more money for the same job, have lower unemployment, live longer, serve shorter sentences for the same crimes and you think Black History Month is unfair? A bridge to far? Too much for you to give?

            Yes, violence, property damage, any lawbreaking is wrong, is bad. So is picking on an entire race just because they decide to celebrate their history, the good and the bad.

    • larry Horist

      Ben … I will be doing more than one commentary as part of Black History Month.

      • frank stetson

        Larry, do the one about incarceration rates, seems like it has changed somewhat lately. Not exactly Black history, or is it?

        • Duke

          Lock ‘em up

      • Arnold

        Get over it Frank. We can’t change history. And I refuse to be held accountable for shit that I had nothing to do with. If you don’t like our country and worry about how it was formed, get the hell out of it All people like you do is stir the pot with your whining and race baiting. If people want better race relations quit selling blacks the idea that the world owes them a living. I don’t owe them shit.

        • Frank stetson

          Wasn’t the topic Black History Month and you’re being upset it’s there?

          Wtf is last rant about? I have to leave the country for having an opinion?

          You hate BHM and I’m the race baiter? Buddy, you’re the only master baiter around here. Probably have carpel tunnel syndrome over it.

  5. Tom

    Larry, I agree with your writing but you sure did seem to plant a burr under Moe’s saddle, he even used bad language in his response. If Ben were to examine the power brokers and money people of the Hitler Era, he would find that many of them were actually Democrat Nazi sympathizers, not GOP. He should watch the film, “Its all a Rich Man’s Trick”, first half of it. He will see that it is his party that was very in favor of Hitler and Democratic Socialism. So is Ben mad because Mitch won’t denounce Ben’s beloved Democratic Party? I just do not get it. I do slightly disagree with the comment that moderate democrats will not vote for a very left leaning SCOTUS candidate. I think they will for exactly the reasons you cited, that it won’t change the composition of the SCOTUS. They will want to lock down that vote quickly despite far left leanings because they need to show some accomplishments later in 2022. Can you do me a favor and reply to Ben because I have no clue about these Nazi’s in Orlando? Is he talking about the shooting in the gay bar where about 50 were killed or injured?

  6. Susan kemp

    Frank it’s reported that your comrade leading BLM has pocketed $60000000 of the organization’s funds. And yes, they bought property owned by communists. Go figure. George sorass must be proud of how his money is spent. But keep kissing their asses. They might cut you in. OMG!!! The news reporters must be racist. Oh I forgot. You only listen to communist propaganda. But you have a computer. Google it. Don’t listen to cnn. They have lost their cred. And Rachel the dyke isn’t on msnbc now. And it’s true that people are exiting the democrats party like rats from a sinking ship. And I’m so glad that president sundown has lost steam. Sometimes stolen elections will bite your ass. So go cuddle with your blow up doll, probably male, and enjoy your night.

    • frank stetson

      I did google it; you should try it to avoid looking so stupid. Start with these topics I pulled from the web.

      “In 2008, Donald Trump sold a Palm Beach mansion to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev for the record price of $95 million.”
      “Russian elite invested nearly $100 million in Trump buildings”
      “Trump’s businesses are full of dirty Russian money. The scandal is that it’s legal.”

      Well, Ms. Comrade Voter, what’s your problem with dealing with communists? Property owned by communists? Trump buys and sells property to Russians all the time.

      Beyond that, your BLM story is misleading at best, certainly BLM did not pocket $60M, it was $.5M to begin with, but beyond you being off by $59,500,000, or 120 times off, you also tin-foiled hat a twitter conspiracy. Turns out it was not BLM but a lone guy pretending to be BLM. He did it with his own hands, his own website, not BLM, and he bought some stuff, including a house. From politifact, but all over the internet, a blind squirrel could show you: “Tweets stated on March 16, 2021 in in a tweet: “Black Lives Matter of Atlanta Charged with Wire Fraud, Money Laundering and Allegedly Using almost 500k in Donations For Personal Use.”

      CRIME RACE AND ETHNICITY FACEBOOK FACT-CHECKS TWEETS
      Bill McCarthy
      By Bill McCarthy
      March 19, 2021

      No, Black Lives Matter wasn’t charged with fraudulently spending donation money

      An activist from Ohio was indicted for wire fraud and money laundering. He is accused of using a Facebook page called “Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta” to defraud donors.

      Black Lives Matter was not charged.

      The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation said in September that it is not affiliated with the activist, and it told PolitiFact that hasn’t changed. A local news report from 2016 said he had “parted ways” with the Black Lives Matter of Atlanta movement before launching his organization.

      Social media users are wrongly claiming that an official Black Lives Matter organization was charged with committing wire fraud, laundering money and misusing donation money.

      The reality is different: a lone Ohio activist was indicted on similar charges after he allegedly created a Facebook page that he passed off as a Black Lives Matter charity.

      The facts haven’t stopped the spread of misleading claims about what happened.

      “Black Lives Matter of Atlanta Charged with Wire Fraud, Money Laundering and Allegedly Using almost 500k in Donations For Personal Use,” said conservative commentator Chuck Callesto, a former Republican congressional candidate, in one such tweet posted March 16.

      Screenshots of Callesto’s tweet were shared on Facebook, along with other posts that repeated versions of the same claim. They were flagged as part of the platform’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

      The posts give the misleading impression that the wire fraud and money laundering charges were filed against an official chapter of the Black Lives Matter movement formed in 2013 after the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, a Black teenager, in Florida.

      But Black Lives Matter was not charged.

      The charges are actually against a 32-year-old activist named Sir Maejor Page, or Tyree Conyers-Page, according to the Justice Department. Page is accused of using a Facebook page called “Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta,” an illegitimate nonprofit, to defraud donors on the platform who thought they were supporting a legitimate social justice organization.

      Page created the Facebook account and registered “Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta” as a nonprofit organization in 2016, and he continued soliciting donations through Facebook after the group’s tax-exempt status was revoked for failure to submit required IRS forms for three years, according to the indictment against him.

      Prosecutors say Page misled Facebook users into believing their donations would be used to back protests in support of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. He received donations from more than 100 people through the Facebook page. He put thousands of dollars toward personal items, entertainment, hotel rooms and a house, the indictment says.” More sources are available on politifact site. BUSTED.

      Yes, Soros’ foundation has donated to Black causes; you gotta a problem with Soros’ foundation donating to Black causes? BLM may be one cause he funds, but you can’t prove it, or the amount.

      “Rachel the dyke,” “male blow up doll,” you have some serious phobias, probably a closet case venting personal frustrations.

      And to complete, your campaign of misinformation, better known as LIES, you conclude: “And it’s true that people are exiting the democrats party like rats from a sinking ship.” Well, there’s a lie you tell yourself, over and over…..Yet, the facts show:
      “STORY HIGHLIGHTS
      Democrats led Republicans by nine points in party ID and leaning in Q1
      Largest advantage in a quarter since the fourth quarter of 2012
      Republican Party ID down to 25% as independent identification surges”

      https://news.gallup.com/poll/343976/quarterly-gap-party-affiliation-largest-2012.aspx

      And, of course, you believe The Big Lie. And, of course, you can’t prove it. When watching Rachel, on MSNBC, last night, live, in color, she is broadcasting from her home due to covid close encounter, before taking a sabbatical, not leaving msnbc, showed a nice story about all the Republicans who cheated the election and got paroled or a few days while the Black women, ex-felon, tried to register to vote, tried that is, not fraudulently voting like the four, count em, four different Republicans, one who had the balls to try to use his example of cheating to get a Trump recount because of his Republican cheating, —– the Black woman who has a document from parole management saying she can vote, this Black woman got six years in prison for just trying to register….. I printed the 2020 voter fraud convictions on another thread. It was done by The Heritage Group. a conservative think tank, and says The Big Lie is a big lie, a lie that you believe, you repeat, you can’t prove but know is true. And, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, you still believe. So, you have problems with gays, problems with lesbians, problems with Blacks, problems with people who support Blacks, ——- buy you have no problem with living the lie to the point of total delusion.

      BUSTED.

      This is like shooting ducks in a barrel. Folks really need to google before they spew total fabrications like Susan Kemp did and end up looking like a tin foil hat case, like Susan did, or even stupider, which I am sure Susan will get to if she posts again. Cuz you know she won’t fess up; she’s a true believer, a zealot, one of Trump’s flock. (wanna bet she’s unvaccinated and thinks it’s just the flu?)

      • James

        You’re a damned liar. Even the communist state of California is considering going after blm , which is nothing but a crime cartel. And your obsession with Trump is hilarious, especially since president dumbass is such a buffoon. I question your mental health because most of what you post is total bullshit.