Surprise! Eric Holder has decided that six years as Attorney General of the United States is enough.  He told the president and the country that he wants to spend more time with his family.  It seems every time a politician says they want to spend more time with their family, they end up doing the exact opposite.  Holder is not the exception to this rule.

There are many published reports stating their is pressure for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg to step down.  The eighty one year has told the media that she will not step down because she fears her replacement will not be as progressive.  Then again, this might be the best opportunity to get a 'like minded' replacement into the court.  Here's the why.

If the electoral trends continue to hold, the republicans will regain their majority in the Senate.  This will increase the GOP's influence on who will be nominated and confirmed to the court.  Although the current Senate does not contain a 'ideal' democratic majority, it's better than what's down the road.

Once the midterms are over it's officially a lame duck presidency for Obama.  All the political firepower will shift to who will replace him.  If a republican succeeds him it will be a nightmare scenario for the democrat court watchers, as Ginsberg's replacement will be significantly more conservative.  Thus shifting the balance of the court for years to come.

Which brings us to Holder.  Forget that he's currently being held in contempt of congress for refusing to cooperate with several investigations.  Holder, a lighting rod, has already been confirmed and his nomination could rally democrats to fight to get him through.

An argument could be made that Holder is being denied a seat at the court because of his partisanship, positions on race, guns, and other issues.  This confirmation fight would energize the left who would donate money to get Holder home to the court. What republican would have have enough guts politically to stand in the way?

That argument, along with a sympathetic press, could be the game plan to replace Ginsberg.  Now that would be a true October Surprise.

 

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