The Patriot Post® · Democrats' Convenient Memory Loss

Democrats are often afflicted with what may be best described as politically convenient amnesia, closely associated with chronic “Potomac Fever.” This recurring condition has been clearly evident through the confirmation process of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, and symptoms include acute displays of remarkable levels of hypocrisy. Observe these past statements by leading Democrat leaders contrasted by these same Democrats’ most recent statements. Beware, witnessing the total reversal of opinion on attempting to block a nominee’s confirmation by these Democrats might tempt one to scream out a slew of frustration-induced profanities.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2013: “We much prefer the risk of up or down votes and majority rule [on judicial nominees], than the risk of continued total obstruction. That’s the bottom line no matter who’s in power.”

Schumer now: “The irresistible, immutable logic is, if the nominee doesn’t get 60 [votes], you change the nominee, not the rules.”

Sen. Tim Kaine in October 2016: “If [Republicans] think they’re going to stonewall the filling of [the SCOTUS] vacancy or other vacancies, then a Democratic Senate majority will say, ‘We’re not going to let you thwart the law.’ And so we will change the Senate rules to uphold the law.”

Kaine now: “The way I look at it is the Supreme Court is the only position that requires you to get to a 60-vote threshold, which means it mandates that there be some bipartisanship and that is appropriate. Life tenure. Highest court in the land. Should have to get to 60 votes.” And, “I will oppose his nomination.”

Recall that Sen. Elizabeth Warren, shortly after her election in 2012, declared, “On the first day of the new session in January, the senators will have a unique opportunity to change the filibuster rule with a majority vote, rather than the normal two-thirds vote.” A year later, she said, “If Republicans continue to filibuster these highly qualified nominees for no reason than to nullify the president’s constitutional authority, then senators not only have the right to change the filibuster, senators have a duty to change the filibuster rules.” She added, “We need to call out these filibusters for what they are — naked attempts to nullify the results of the last presidential election.”

Warren now: “I believe Judge Gorsuch’s nomination should be blocked.”

To be sure, the filibuster is a Senate rule subject to the desires of any Senate majority. Both parties use those rules to political advantage. What’s striking is Democrat sanctimony.

On a final note, here’s a video montage of Democrats displaying their blatant hypocrisy on the filibuster courtesy of our friends at the Washington Free Beacon: