Sanders: Only one litmus test for SCOTUS - oppose Citizens United

[psychprofessor]

Bernie and Hillary were interviewed this evening on Nevada's premier political show hosted by Jon Ralston.

One quote from Bernie that is setting twitter aflutter is his response to Jon's question as to whether he would impose any litmus tests on the next SCOTUS nominee if he were president.

According to Ralston:
 
Jon Ralston
‏@RalstonReports
Bernie says on #RalstonLive he would have only one litmus test for a SCOTUS nominee: Must oppose Citizens United.

Now, removing the fact that I am a Hillary supporter, I find this quite frightening as a Democrat. So, what say you other Dems? Is this concerning at all?

[Boston Bread]

I can't picture Sanders choosing an anti-abortion justice, so I'm not really concerned. If this was Webb on the other hand that would be a concern.

[indysaff]

What is frightening about this?

[Bigby]

So does that mean Buddy Roemer is on the table?

[Likely Voter]

Doesn't Donald Trump hate Super PACs and Citizens United?

[Asian Nazi]

How in the world did Clinton lose NH by 20+ points to this guy? 

[DrScholl]

How in the world did Clinton lose NH by 20+ points to this guy? 

Free stuff and the fact that he is from next door.

[SteveRogers]

Doesn't Donald Trump hate Super PACs and Citizens United?

He occasionally talks about "getting money and special interests out of politics," and he criticizes his opponents for having Super PACS, but as far as I know he's never actually laid out a plan for reforming campaign finance or repealing Citizens United. When he says "get money and special interests out of politics," all he means is that you should vote for him.

[An American Tail: Fubart Goes West]

Obviously a Sanders presidency will oversee the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

[Antonio the Sixth]

He's right.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

.. but as far as I know he's never actually laid out a plan for ... repealing Citizens United. 

Citizens United being a litmus test for SCOTUS appointees isn't clear enough for you?

[The Ex-Factor]

I think this plays into Clinton's rhetoric that Sanders is a single issue campaign a bit.

[Lief 🗽]

What a stupid thing to say. And then he throws a temper tantrum when gay rights, women's rights, and labor groups endorse Clinton.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I think this plays into Clinton's rhetoric that Sanders is a single issue campaign a bit.

Call me a hack if you like (I support Clinton, so a lot around here assume so anyway...) but I basically agree.

[Ebsy]

There has been a lot of negative coverage of Sanders the past few days. Pretty unusual.

[Beet]

Well it was only ten years ago when John Roberts would refuse to answer questions about how he would rule on any specific case because it would be "unprofessional". Now it's par for course. I still think candidates would be better served by just making broad statements about how "I would approve justices who understand the First Amendment such that limits on spending do not fundamentally violate freedom of speech" etc. etc. We all know how both Clinton and Sanders appointees would likely vote on campaign finance cases.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

There has been a lot of negative coverage of Sanders the past few days. Pretty unusual.

He's gotten a lot of negative coverage in general, but team Hillary really went into kitchen sink mode.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

There has been a lot of negative coverage of Sanders the past few days. Pretty unusual.

He's gotten a lot of negative coverage in general, but team Hillary really went into kitchen sink mode.

No one outside of this place is really paying attention to any "negative" Bernie coverage. I've never even seen half of it outside of this place.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Clearly Bernie Sanders will personally ensure all women are forced to die in alleyways due to botched abortions.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Clearly Bernie Sanders will personally ensure all women are forced to die in alleyways due to botched abortions.

I mean, it's pretty obvious that he's not saying those issues aren't important. He probably needed to have a more nuanced answer that didn't allow him to be criticised.

[Trapsy]

This guy is so amateurish.

[SteveRogers]

.. but as far as I know he's never actually laid out a plan for ... repealing Citizens United. 

Citizens United being a litmus test for SCOTUS appointees isn't clear enough for you?

I was referring to Trump.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Clearly Bernie Sanders will personally ensure all women are forced to die in alleyways due to botched abortions.

I mean, it's pretty obvious that he's not saying those issues aren't important. He probably needed to have a more nuanced answer that didn't allow him to be criticised.

I agree, though I don't think the people interested in attacking him for every word that comes out of his mouth would bother with the nuance in the first place. If Hillary's running around making statements like this I don't think people are going to hesitate to strawman.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Clearly Bernie Sanders will personally ensure all women are forced to die in alleyways due to botched abortions.

I mean, it's pretty obvious that he's not saying those issues aren't important. He probably needed to have a more nuanced answer that didn't allow him to be criticised.

So much straw man has been used against Bernie that I worry about the poor horses this winter having enough to eat.

I agree, though I don't think the people interested in attacking him for every word that comes out of his mouth would bother with the nuance in the first place. If Hillary's running around making statements like this I don't think people are going to hesitate to strawman.

[Trapsy]

Clearly Bernie Sanders will personally ensure all women are forced to die in alleyways due to botched abortions.

I mean, it's pretty obvious that he's not saying those issues aren't important. He probably needed to have a more nuanced answer that didn't allow him to be criticised.

So much straw man has been used against Bernie that I worry about the poor horses this winter having enough to eat.

I agree, though I don't think the people interested in attacking him for every word that comes out of his mouth would bother with the nuance in the first place. If Hillary's running around making statements like this I don't think people are going to hesitate to strawman.

Why are you guys crying? Every candidate is getting scrutinized.