Senate 2016: The Democrats Strike Back It may come as a shock given all the attention being paid to the presidential race this year, but the president isn’t all-powerful. In fact, the U.S. Congress is supposed to be a coequal branch of the federal government. From voting on important legislation to confirming Cabinet appointees and federal judges, the Senate matters.
Right now, Republicans hold 54 seats to the Democrats’ 46 (including two independents who caucus with the Democrats). The Democrats have a favorable map in 2016[.]
Senate control could be crucial to a Democratic president, especially with unfilled judicial seats and cabinet posts. I personally think Republicans have shot themselves in the foot with their stance on Garland.
Eight is not enough. -WaPo editorial board.
Mr. McConnell’s admission that Mr. Garland is “well-qualified” should end the discussion. The president gets to nominate; the Senate gets to object in extraordinary circumstances, but has an obligation to confirm if nominees are, as in this case, obviously qualified and within the mainstream of judicial thinking. No other arrangement can keep the system working. But the majority leader obviously has other considerations in mind.
The board also stated, "Mr. McConnell’s claims do not pass the laugh test — unless by “worst,” he means “most-qualified” and therefore most difficult plausibly to reject."
