GOP Girds for Supreme Court Battle

Research team seeks 'crazy opinions' to hurt Dems in 2010

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted May 1, 2009 8:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Lacking the votes to block President Obama's Supreme Court pick, Republicans have a gang of researchers digging up prospective candidates' "crazy opinions" to hurt Dems in the 2010 midterm elections, a GOP aide tells Politico. But knowing that Obama's pick will likely be a woman or Latino or both—Judge Sonia Sotomayor currently tops the short list—Republicans "have to be careful not to f—- up and overreach," the aide said.

Especially prickly for the GOP is the fact that a white man—likely Sen. Jeff Sessions—will lead questioning on the Senate Judiciary Committee. For now, Republicans are warning that the selection process may force lawmakers to sideline the Democrats' agenda. "This came unexpectedly," Sen. John Cornyn said. “Regulatory reform, patent reform, health care reform ... I'm not sure if we can do all of it at the same time."

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (1)]

In this July 9, 2008 file photo, Supreme Court Justice David Souter speaks during a dedication ceremony at the State Supreme Courthouse in Concord, N.H.

In this April 7, 2005 file photo, U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter talks with friends in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., center, speaks at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, kicks off the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball in National Harbor, Md. near Washington on Monday Jan. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Rodger Mallison)

In this Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks to supporters at an election night victory celebration, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

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If the Republicans think Obama’s going to serve them some crazy liberal on a platter, they’re out of their minds. Haven’t they been watching the man? - A senior Democratic aide

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

sache

May 4, 2009 1:49 AM CDT

The repubs are sick. Crazy opinions are what the repubs are about these days. If they have a gang of researchers they should use them to find out why the majority of American are rejecting the repubs policies? Too far to the right , maybe? Repubs should concentrate on fixing their problems instead of going after dems with "crazy opinions".

justme

May 3, 2009 11:52 AM CDT

The real fight for the Supreme Court will be between the far left (put up a legislate from the bench person) and the rest of us (put up a real jurist who pays attention to the law, as it is written, not as you might like.)

cornelison

May 2, 2009 7:05 AM CDT

I got tiered of Republicans 30 yrs. ago. The Supreme Court is one of their instruments of terror. Like a dictatorship they know how to steal elections.

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GOP Girds for Supreme Court Battle