Two prominent Republicans, John McCain (left) and Ted Cruz (right), have recently stepped forward with bold statements about the Supreme Court – statements so bold, they reveal the party’s acceptance of looming defeat and the redirection of their efforts to preventing a left-leaning court.
McCain’s Aggressive Promise
John McCain, former GOP presidential candidate, made headlines recently with his public promise, that “Republicans will be united against any nominee put forth by Hillary Clinton, if she were to be elected President.” McCain’s statement was certainly aggressive, and seemingly threatening. However, it made one thing clear: Republicans are on the defensive, expecting defeat and are attempting to grasp onto any hope they may have of acquiring a right-leaning majority in the Court.
Ted Cruz Follows Suit
Ted Cruz’s recent statement about the possibility of keeping the Court’s final seat vacant was certainly less aggressive than McCain’s. However, it reinforces that the Republican party is preparing for defeat and that McCain is not merely an angry Republican (or perhaps still bitter that he lost the 2008 election). Cruz’s statements, although less blatant, further reveal the Republican party has turned their efforts away from winning the election and toward preventing a left-leaning Court on top of a Democratic President.
Republican’s Redirecting Efforts
This recent shift in rhetoric surrounding the Supreme Court – from Trump’s Court vs. Hillary’s Court – to Republican threats to block Hillary’s nominees makes one thing very clear: the GOP’s outlook on the election is bleak. These statements reveal they have already accepted defeat and are grasping onto the one hope they have – preventing Hillary from acquiring a left-leaning Court in addition to her presidency.