Well, pilgrims, the man from the ivory judicial tower has stepped on his crank. He allowed a member of the Connecticut congressional delegation to inveigle him into denouncing the president who nominated him to the Supreme Court. Then, to make the situation even more delicious from the Democratic Party point of view, Gorsuch freely told Blumenthal that he should tell anyone he liked of Gorsuch's statements.
Gorsuch has been on the appellate bench for 18 years. It would seem that this is long enough to become fully insulated from reality.
Given President Trump's pugnacious personality it is hard to believe that he would see Gorsuch's statements to Blumenthal as other than disloyal and a betrayal. I would not be surprised to see Gorsuch's nomination end in a withdrawal.
The next nominee will probably have little to say to the Democrats. pl
Why would he replace him? Doesn't he let T-Rex and Mattis contradict him about NATO?
Posted by: mike | 09 February 2017 at 09:55 AM
It always astounds me that people allow themselves to be tripped up that way, but they do. Kinda sorta like Bill O'reilly's "Putin's a killer" gambit with Trump that went nowhere.
You'd think a judge with all his legal training would see that coming from a mile away, but people get nervous...
Posted by: A.Pols | 09 February 2017 at 10:56 AM
Col. Lang
It didn't take long....
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-02-09/trump-defends-gorsuch-accuses-blumenthal-misrepresenting-what-judge-said
"Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie),now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him?" the president tweeted Thursday morning.
Posted by: Sam Peralta | 09 February 2017 at 10:59 AM
Yeah, so long Gorsuch. That aside, didn't Blumenthal fight in combat in Vietnam? Oh, that's right, he made it up. http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/265462/remembering-rich-blumenthals-vietnam-deception-lloyd-billingsley
My all-time hilarious Senator Blumenthal moment, at a government train safety presentation at a Connecticut train station:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/conn-sen-blumenthal-hit-train-rail-safety-press-conference-article-1.1762281
Posted by: Fred D. | 09 February 2017 at 11:10 AM
There's another possibility. Trump tweeted this about Blumenthal:
Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie),now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Feb. 9, 2017
Pres Trump is saying that this is all fake news. It's hard to tell if this is just posturing on his part or not. If Gorsuch goes, we'll know. And if that happens expect the next nominee to be grilled on his/her commitment to an independent judiciary.
Posted by: Edward Amame | 09 February 2017 at 11:12 AM
Sir
That sounds about right based on his hitherto behavioral trajectory.
Still, the talking heads now postulate that this was done on purpose, green lighted by Trump (?), to make the prospective justice more palatable to the liberal side of the isle. The theory is more of a speculation and probably too outlandish to be true. But it is (or was ) being chatted about on CNN etc.
Posted by: Petrous | 09 February 2017 at 11:19 AM
Are we racing headlong into full
banana republic/balkanization
status, with identity politics as the
overriding factor? To borrow from the
illustrious NewYork politician of the late
19th century has our "Boss Tweet of Toomanyhalls(towers)"
lead us down to an irreconcilable
path of continued chaos?I know it's early yet.
With expatriate numbers swelling any
suggestions to possible destinations?
Posted by: steve g | 09 February 2017 at 11:26 AM
Trump's tweet: "Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie),now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him?
Posted by: BillWade | 09 February 2017 at 11:35 AM
The president's "pugnacious personality" is the "reality" to which Gorsuch must adjust? I think that Gorsuch's remarks were an attempt, futile though it might turn out to be and damaging to his own interests, to tell the president that under some governmental circumstances it is he who must adjust. Further, based on what I know of Gorsuch and his background, he doesn't seem to me to be pugnacious himself nor someone who is insulated from political reality. (As we know, his mother lost her job at the EPA under Reagan in a battle over executive branch prerogatives -- one in which she stood on the executive branch side. ) I would guess that Gorsuch thinks that his personal interests here are outweighed by broader ones. Maybe not a profile in courage but not a fight between two alley cats.
Posted by: Larry Kart | 09 February 2017 at 11:35 AM
Dear Colonel, sorry I cant resist. He should have had a lawyer present during the interview.
Agreed, he will be pulled.
Posted by: ISL | 09 February 2017 at 12:02 PM
Judge Gorsuch just spoke truth. He would not have been in any position to do so if President Trump had spoken differently about the integrity of the Judicial Branch of government. Courage vs ignorance. Truth vs career. Truth vs "loyalty". Good on him. How President Trump responds will again be illuminating.
Posted by: 505thPIR | 09 February 2017 at 12:03 PM
Sir,
My guess is Trump will let it slide. IMO, he'd rather have his nomination - a good conservative - approved than get into an ego contest. He will have another nomination coming up soon to replace Ginsberg. He'll make sure that one is more appropriately worshipful.
Posted by: Eric Newhill | 09 February 2017 at 12:37 PM
Gorsuch Team: Comments about attacks on judiciary were not specific to Trump Immigration EO http://legalinsurrection.com/2017/02/gorsuch-team-comments-about-attacks-on-judiciary-were-not-specific-to-trump-immigration-eo/
My first instinct was that Gorsuch must have been referring to attacks on the judiciary in general, not on Trump’s comments about the pending 9th Circuit case.
Gorsuch’s team, led by Senator Kelly Ayotte, just confirmed what I suspected. The comments were taken out of context to the extent portrayed as a specific criticism of Trump’s comments on the Immigration EO.
Here is the statement:
"Judge Gorsuch has made it very clear in all of his discussions with senators, including Senator Blumenthal, that he could not comment on any specific cases and that judicial ethics prevent him from commenting on political matters. He has also emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary, and while he made clear that he was not referring to any specific case, he said that he finds any criticism of a judge’s integrity and independence disheartening and demoralizing."
---------------
So either this is a case of backpedaling or statements from Democrats regarding Trump should not be trusted until verified (or both). Pulling a sentence out of a larger comment, or reframing it to make it mean something different is a typical trick used by both sides.
My current rule is to be skeptical of ALL political news headlines. The percentage of "truth" is awfully low.
Posted by: Valissa | 09 February 2017 at 01:46 PM
Col--Dissing the federal judicial system and its judges is not a great strategy for a President. Gorsuch is a federal judge and, therefore, not thrilled. The third branch isn't one to dismiss and denigrate. DT will be caught between "I'm never wrong" and "You're fired." Interesting times.
Posted by: Laura | 09 February 2017 at 02:27 PM
It would be sad, if he withdrew. I don't think the dems will get anyone "better" in his place. And the court needs to be filled ASAP.
The President also took on McCain and Blumenthal's Vietnam and military service. Inappropriate to me who was not in the military, what would someone who actually volunteered think?
Posted by: ann | 09 February 2017 at 03:07 PM
Pete Deer
This is not a question regarding Gorsuch's honor or integrity. That seems unquestionable. It is a question as to whether or not Gorsuch's nomination will survive he incident. I see that you creatures in Charlottesville have decided to remove Uncle Bob's statue from a park. Shame! pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 09 February 2017 at 04:22 PM
Another Souter, Kennedy?
Looking like it.
So much for Trump's love of "extreme vetting."
Posted by: TV | 09 February 2017 at 04:26 PM
If I said what I thought I'd get banned again.
Posted by: raven | 09 February 2017 at 06:15 PM
At least he didn't have 5 deferments for heel spurs that were so severe he can't even remember which foot was involved.
Posted by: Nancy K | 09 February 2017 at 07:16 PM
She will hang in there until Trump is gone.
Posted by: Nancy K | 09 February 2017 at 07:18 PM
Rambo and Pocahontas (Blumenthal and Warren) make a great team.
Posted by: FND | 09 February 2017 at 07:33 PM
Pete Deer
Well, Pete, I revere Robert Edward Lee as the best a man can be and so do not share your motivation. If you wish to criticize his character that would be your choice but please do not try to feed me the treason meme. Perhaps any favorable mention of his name should be discouraged so that safe zones free from of micro-aggression can be created for the "snowflakes."
Posted by: turcopolier | 09 February 2017 at 07:48 PM
FND
Richard Blumenthal served in the USMCR in the states. He could have been sent to VN. As for Warren the temptation to add a bit of family lore to her resume must have been terrific. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 09 February 2017 at 07:53 PM
Eric Newhill
I am pleased to learn that DT will stick with Gorsuch. Given the present balance in the federal judiciary due to Harry Reid's application of the nuclear option couple of years ago I would think that DT will urge the Senate leader to apply that the SCOTUS appointments so that they can stop liberal opinions flowing upward to them.pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 09 February 2017 at 07:59 PM
NancyK
You should know by now that I despise draft dodgers. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 09 February 2017 at 08:00 PM