It did not take long after Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death -- estimated to have occurred either late night Friday, Feb. 12, or early morning Saturday, Feb. 13 -- for the political world to turn itself upside down over one crucial decision: who would fill the large vacancy Scalia left?
Aside from acting as a potential decision maker of a Supreme Court comprised of nine justices, Scalia played a crucial role in the court's interpretation of the law. Considered a textualist, or originalist, by lawmakers, Scalia took it upon himself to interpret the laws set forth by the United States Constitution in regards to their meaning at the time of the Constitution's creation. Whether his verdict was conservative or liberal, what mattered most to Scalia was if the ruling was constitutional or not.
Voters and media consumers, alike, are just starting to feel the importance of the 2016 election. Several states have already had their primary elections to decide the party nominees, with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump pulling away with some surprising victories over their field. It seems as if America has already forgotten about the current president still in office, and has moved on to imagining how the new floral arrangements will look in the Oval Office after we elect a new leader. Congress sure has forgotten about the powers President Obama still holds as Commander-in-Chief, a phrase many mispronounce as "Commander-and-Chief."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY-R) has even made remarks that neither he nor the senators from his party will take part in a vote over a Supreme Court nominee chosen by President Obama. When former "Daily Show" host comedian Jon Stewart emerged from retirement to advocate for the renewal of the James Zadroga Bill supporting the medical coverage of 9/11 first responders, McConnell was revealed to be behind the bill's expiration. Senator McConnell removed the Zadroga Bill's extension from the omnibus bill Congress was negotiating over because he was upset over a longstanding ban on oil exports still in effect.
Out of spite, McConnell played the political game where people's lives hung in the balance. And now he is trying to limit President Obama's executive powers the Constitution grants him. Out of spite.
The presidential candidates still remaining in the Republican race took it upon themselves to try and "honor" the late Justice Scalia if elected, and nominate a judge deserving of the position. Without speaking for the deceased, the least avid Scalia scholar could hypothesize that Scalia would probably take Obama's side. Nearly 10 months are left in the Obama presidency until his successor is sworn in January 2017. The current administration only becomes considered a "lame duck" until the new leader is elected, which still will not happen until eight months time from now.
President Obama is afforded more than enough time to nominate a Supreme Court justice to fill the void left by Scalia. Out of all the times conservative figures and groups call policies or rulings unconstitutional, they are slow to throw up the red flag in this case.
