In an op-ed in the Washington Post Rahm Emanuel gives Democrats some good advice:
With health care, climate change and tax reform all on their to-do list, Democrats shouldn’t waste political capital attempting a political maneuver — court-packing — that not even Franklin Roosevelt could pull off at the height of the New Deal. Rather than expand the court, Democrats should expand the playing field. With the filibuster curtailed, they will be equipped to establish a new national voting rights regime that addresses not only the legacy of bigotry in the South but also conservative efforts to disenfranchise people of color across the country.
They will have an opportunity also to expand the district and appellate courts, where much of the key case law gets made, as Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.) has proposed. And they can move to bring a new level of transparency to our politics, exposing how dark money not only influences the legislative branch but also funds junkets and exotic retreats for judges and justices as well.
Rather than wasting their time on whining about the composition of the Supreme Court or threatening to “pack the Court” or, even worse, redefining what is meant by “packing the Court” so they can claim that both sides do it, they should do something truly remarkable: their jobs. The real power is in the hands of the legislatures whether the Congress or state and local legislators.
My first question about this is where was this guy during the eight years when somebody who strongly resembled him and was also, coincidentally, named Rahm Emanuel was mayor of Chicago? Or during the six years when another guy named Rahm Emanuel had a seat in the House of Representatives?
My second question is why didn’t those Rahm Emanuels see things that way, too? I think I have an explanation. When legislators actually take stands on issues that aren’t particularly popular, they risk losing elections. There are priorities, after all. It’s a lot less risky to let the Supreme Court carry the weight for them.
He realizes the current party is batshit crazy. Truly totally off the rails. He’s positioning for the future.
I think the more interesting question is: why are they behaving in such a bizarre fashion, which he is distancing himself from.
I happen to believe they know the skullduggery that’s been going on for 12 years is going to be exposed in its entirety. Careers and reputations trashed…………..oh, and power and money.
With all the documents and revelations the past month, anyone who doesn’t understand by now is a dimwit or dishonest.
Russiagate was just a dirty trick by Hillary reacting to her perceived vulnerability on Russia. Ju jitsu move.
Ukraine impeachment was the cover for Biden’s corruption. Ju jitsu move.
China? Well, christ, Biden owned lock stock and barrel.
A lot of interesting tangents in that selection Emanuel:
1) FDR’s court packing plan, did it work? Stitch in time saves nine interpretations argue it did, but the question remains at what cost?
2) Legislation aimed at Southern bigotry is going to run square into now-liberal Roberts’ demand for same rules for all.
3) I didn’t find any specific proposal from Coons regarding expanding circuit and district courts; I see where he complained that Republicans had been packing the lower courts. Expansion of the lower courts could be as radical as anything. For example, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals sitting in Chicago has fourteen justices including Barrett, twelve appointed by Republicans, two by Democrats. Half of the Justices were appointed before Clinton (i.e. by Ford, Reagan and Bush I). Would the really try to add ten or more justices?
4) Dark money certainly impacts legislators more than justices. Not only do justices expound their rulings in detail, they are selected for their judicial philosophy. The day that Justice Thomas writes a “living constitution” opinion is the day we’ll know he’s been bought.
I agree that he’s auditioning for a role in a future Biden Administration. I don’t think he’s realized that the party to which he’s devoted his life has left him behind, indeed, has no use for him.
“Climate change on their to do list?”
What’s the basis for that? What constituency is marching for that?
It’s just a part of the liturgy now for progressives.
Climate now, climate forever and ever, Amen.
I’m deeply concerned about light pollution, I miss the milky way.
My grandchildren have never seen it. Where is my champion?
Am I any crazier than climate activists?
Adapt.
‘With health care, climate change and tax reform all on their to-do list, Democrats shouldn’t waste political capital attempting a political maneuver — court-packing — that not even Franklin Roosevelt could pull off at the height of the New Deal.’
Because court-packing is the big bwana, Mr. Emanuel. If you’re able to pack the SC health care, climate change, tax ‘reform’ and anything else you want will from now on be ‘legal’. Hugo Chavez showed the way. And in FDR’s day the Democrats weren’t all in on seizing power and rigging the game to keep it permanently like they are now. All that would make it happen now is Harris getting in and flipping the Senate.
I’m really disappointed in Chris Coons. He is part of the ‘Delaware Way’ escalator to higher office, and when he was a Rep I disagreed with him and his positions, but I thought he was decent for a politician. From the Kavanaugh hearings on he’s proven himself to be a real scumbag. Lower court-packing is just his latest dirty trick.
There is already a proposal out there to add justices to the Ninth Circuit, which with 29 justices no longer can sit en banc (I believe ten and two alternates now is considered en banc for them). Responsible for many of the odder and what I consider indefensible rulings in recent years, It is close to flipping to ‘R’. It out to be broken up.
Down-court packing is almost as bad an idea as Supreme Court packing. You don’t get to change the rules of the game just because you’re losing, you learn to play better. Otherwise you’re just begging for violence from those who have concluded the game is rigged.
‘I’m deeply concerned about light pollution, I miss the milky way.
My grandchildren have never seen it. Where is my champion?
Am I any crazier than climate activists?’
Once the Green New Deal in instituted you’ll be able to see the Milky Way and even Andromeda galaxy again. You’ll be cold and hungry and unemployed and without power, but you’ll be able to see all the stars once more. Assuming China doesn’t ramp up coal burning too much, that is.
‘Legislation aimed at Southern bigotry is going to run square into now-liberal Roberts’ demand for same rules for all.’
Come a Biden Administration Roberts will probably start voting with the liberal bloc, unless the court is packed, in which case he’ll be allowed to vote with the minority so he can tell his biographer ‘I’m not responsible for THAT!’
‘My first question about this is where was this guy during the height years when somebody who strongly resembled him and was also, coincidentally, named Rahm Emanuel was mayor of Chicago?’
He was auditioning for higher office. Forgetting that no Chicago mayor that I am aware of has gone anywhere politically afterwards.
The GND even if fully implemented which ordinary politics practically assures will not happen would have almost the opposite effect. There is quite literally nothing we can do to reverse whatever effect human beings are having on the climate and on airborne pollution generally. The emphasis in that sentence is on “we”. The rates at which China and soon India are releasing carbon ensure it will continue. Our carbon emissions could go to zero and it still wouldn’t be enough.
President Xi has claimed that China will reach zero net emissions by 2060. I think that’s an instance of what I’ve mentioned before in The Caliph, the Grand Vizier, and the Donkey. But we’ll see. Or, more precisely, you’ll see. I won’t be alive in 2060 and I doubt that President Xi will be, either.
Love it when leaders set goals they will reach in the afterlife.
I do expect a 3-4 Trillion dollar stimulus. Tasty? What does that mean, is cash still king?