Read on Twitter
This morning we're asking why on earth Lindsay Graham is holding up the nomination of Merrick Garland?
Why is Graham still judiciary chair when Dems effectively won control of the Senate?
(THREAD) https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/536874-graham-shoots-down-request-for-feb-8-merrick-garland-hearing
Why is Graham still judiciary chair when Dems effectively won control of the Senate?
(THREAD) https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/536874-graham-shoots-down-request-for-feb-8-merrick-garland-hearing
(2) The short answer is Dems don't have committee control because an agreement hasn't been reached on power-sharing. I know we like to say Dems have "control" of the Senate but for all intents and purposes, the Senate is split evenly.
NO ONE HAS CONTROL https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/02/politics/power-sharing-agreements-congress/index.html
NO ONE HAS CONTROL https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/02/politics/power-sharing-agreements-congress/index.html
(3) It's possible the Senate will pass a rules resolution on how the Senate will work today, but in the meantime, Durbin (the new judiciary chair) has been pushing Graham to schedule Garland's confirmation.
And Lindsey has found all sorts of excuses. https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-refuses-merrick-garland-ag-confirmation-hearing-blames-trump-impeachment-1565987
And Lindsey has found all sorts of excuses. https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-refuses-merrick-garland-ag-confirmation-hearing-blames-trump-impeachment-1565987
(4) First Graham's excuse was that there's an impeachment hearing next week and the Senate needs two days for a confirmation hearing. Then he said there was some "paperwork" missing.
It's clear he's stalling but why. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-senate-justice-garland/senate-democrats-seek-february-hearing-for-attorney-general-nominee-garland-idUSKBN2A13TT?il=0
It's clear he's stalling but why. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-senate-justice-garland/senate-democrats-seek-february-hearing-for-attorney-general-nominee-garland-idUSKBN2A13TT?il=0
(5) After all, Lindsey was singing a pretty different tune in the aftermath of the Capitol Riots.
He condemned the President's actions and lay responsibility for the violence at his feet. https://www.wbtv.com/2021/01/06/lindsey-graham-count-me-out-enough-is-enough/
He condemned the President's actions and lay responsibility for the violence at his feet. https://www.wbtv.com/2021/01/06/lindsey-graham-count-me-out-enough-is-enough/
(6) But true to form, just two weeks ago, Lindsey pivoted quickly to claiming the impeachment trial is unconstitutional and even going so far as to publicly threaten Democrats if they dared to call witnesses. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/02/weird-threats-lindsey-graham-trumps-lawyer-are-making-about-impeachment-witnesses/
(7) The sudden obstruction on Garland's nomination is a weird flex from a dude who just two weeks ago praised Biden's choice for attorney general.
"I believe Judge Garland... is a man of great character, integrity, and tremendous competency in the law." https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/532924-lindsey-graham-praises-merrick-garland-as-sound-choice-to-serve-as-attorney
"I believe Judge Garland... is a man of great character, integrity, and tremendous competency in the law." https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/532924-lindsey-graham-praises-merrick-garland-as-sound-choice-to-serve-as-attorney
(8) So what's Graham plotting? Who even knows. It could be as simple as wanting to savor the last few days of his ability to wield power. It could be Graham's obvious love of grandstanding.
It could be that Trump is the only thing ole Lindsey has left. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/lindsey-graham-senate-trump-928948/
It could be that Trump is the only thing ole Lindsey has left. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/lindsey-graham-senate-trump-928948/
(9) It could also be something a little more sinister, like seeking to obstruct potential probes into Graham's role in Trump's election fraud.
Graham's pressuring of election officials in Georgia should be front and center of continued investigations. https://www.newsweek.com/merrick-garland-should-pushed-probe-election-crimes-trump-lindsey-graham-watchdog-1561731
Graham's pressuring of election officials in Georgia should be front and center of continued investigations. https://www.newsweek.com/merrick-garland-should-pushed-probe-election-crimes-trump-lindsey-graham-watchdog-1561731
(10) Whatever Lindsey's motives, it's clear he's scrambling to hold onto power. And obstructionism & threats are the only tools Republicans understand how to wield these days.
Against colleagues, against democracy, and against their own constituents.
https://www.mtdemocrat.com/letters/the-gop-is-now-a-cult-of-personality/
Against colleagues, against democracy, and against their own constituents.
https://www.mtdemocrat.com/letters/the-gop-is-now-a-cult-of-personality/
(END) Thanks to @AndrewFmOregon for the #TuesdayThread suggestion. Come back Thursday and we'll do this again.
Like threads like this and want to keep them coming? You can support my work here:
http://paypal.me/kazweida http://patreon.com/kazweida
Like threads like this and want to keep them coming? You can support my work here:
http://paypal.me/kazweida http://patreon.com/kazweida
