Friday, February 19, 2016

FLASHBACK: Sen. Obama reminded ‘Constitution calls for the Senate to advise and consent’

FLASHBACK: Sen. Obama reminded ‘Constitution calls for the Senate to advise and consent’ | The American Mirror:
But in a 2006 video posted to YouTube the same day, then-Sen. Obama of Illinois provides a decidedly different take on the nomination process in a filibuster to oppose a Senate decision on Justice Samuel Alito.

“As we all know, there has been a lot of discussion in the country about how the Senate should approach this confirmation process,” Obama said at the time.
“There are some who believe the president, having won the election, should have complete authority to appoint his nominee and the Senate should only examine whether or not the justice is intellectually capable and an all-around good guy. That once you get beyond intellect and personal character there should be no further questions as to whether the judge should be confirmed.
“I disagree with this view,” he continued. “I believe firmly that the Constitution calls for the Senate to advise and consent. I believe that it calls for meaningful advice and consent and that includes an examination of a judge’s philosophy, ideology and record. 
When I examine the philosophy, ideology and record of Samuel Alito, I am deeply troubled.”
Of course, Obama doesn’t see the hypocrisy in his apparent flip-flopping, but is now working to address critics who were quick to point out his conflicting statements nonetheless.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told the media during a daily press briefing Wednesday that the president “regrets” his unsuccessful filibuster of Alito, but maintains that the situation then and now are entirely different..."

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