*A recent statement by CNN legal/political analyst Bakari Sellers has ignited speculation regarding the possibility of Vice President Kamala Harris being nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court.
During a discussion with host John Berman, Sellers suggested that if liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is 70 and has faced health concerns, were to retire, it could pave the way for President Joe Biden to nominate Harris, Newsweek reports.
Sellers, a former Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, emphasized that while it’s unusual to nominate someone without judicial experience, it is not without precedent. Justice Elena Kagan was nominated by President Barack Obama without having previously served as a judge, while Chief Justice John Roberts had only two years of experience on the appeals court before his appointment.
Currently, the Democrats hold a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate, which could facilitate a swift nomination process if Biden acts before the newly elected Republican senators take their seats in January.
Sellers voiced the urgency of the situation, suggesting that now is the time to ensure a liberal voice fills any potential vacancy left by Sotomayor.
Sellers expressed concern about the dangers of inaction, referencing the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s situation, where her decision to remain on the bench contributed to a conservative shift in the court.
“I think that if Sotomayor were to resign now, it would ensure that a liberal would replace her,” Sellers argued while reflecting on Sotomayor’s situation, which includes health issues stemming from her type 1 diabetes.
He called for Biden to use the upcoming weeks strategically, alluding to potential pushback from Republicans but insisting that the president has the authority to make bold moves during this period.
Some Democrats and commentators have echoed Sellers’ sentiments, urging Sotomayor to consider retirement for the sake of maintaining a liberal presence on the court. However, voices within the disability rights community have pushed back against these calls, advocating for justice and respect for Sotomayor’s autonomy over her health decisions.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reassured that the decision for Sotomayor to remain or step down is a personal one. As speculation swirls, Amanda Yaver and various commentators continue to debate the implications of a potential nomination for Harris, should Sotomayor retire, with opinions divided along political lines.
While some within the Democratic ranks are hopeful about a historic Harris nomination, Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton cautioned that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell would likely oppose any such move. He warned that McConnell’s experience and strategy would make it difficult for Harris’s nomination to progress smoothly.
“I think if Democrats were to attempt to nominate the vice president or anybody else, I think Mitch is going to do everything he can within the confines of the Senate rules to prohibit it, to give the incoming president the opportunity to make every single nomination and ultimately confirm those nominations that he can,” he said.
As discussions unfold, the public is left wondering whether Kamala Harris could emerge from her current role as vice president to serve on the nation’s highest court—a scenario that would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the political landscape.
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