Biden to GOP Senators: ‘Let the people speak’
Joe Biden yesterday slammedus President Donald Trumpand leading Senate Republicans for trying to jam through a replacement for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and urged more senators to stand with a pair ofgopcolleagueswhooppose the election-season rush.
The extraordinary televised plea from the Democratic presidential candidate to Republican senators reflected the ferocious maneuvering that has followed Ginsburg’s death at 87 on Saturday. It takes four Republicans to break ranks to keep Trump’s nominee off the court.
Attention quickly focused on Senator Mittromney of Utah, who voted to convict Trumpon one count of impeachment, and Senator Chuck
Grassley of Iowa, a former chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
Biden acknowledged that those Republicans and others like them were his target audiencewhenhe warned that Trump’s plan was an “abuse of power”.
“Uphold your constitutional duty, your conscience,” said Biden. “Let the people speak. Cool the flames that have engulfed our country.”
Trumphas said he is obligated to act as soon as possible and had at least twowomenin mind for the seat. Most Republicans concurred on the need for speed and onenameda practical reason: The nine-member court must be full if called upon to decide the outcome of a disputed presidential election.
But Biden and other Democrats said voters should choose the next president, whoshould pick
Ginsburg’s successor. Health care, abortion rights and religious freedom are on the line, they said.
Biden, whohas run on uniting the country after Trump’s divisive tenure, warned against more upheaval.
“The last thingweneed is a constitutional crisis that plunges us deeper into the abyss and deeper into the darkness,” he said.
Heacknowledged if Trumpwins, his pick should be approved. But he added, “If I win this election, President Trump’s nominee should be withdrawn, and as thenewpresident, I should be the one to nominate Justice Ginsburg’s successor.”