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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Quills & Queues: Concert aims to reunite mother and daughter ... Man sentenced after admitting to thefts of SUV ... New wolf makes its way to Southern Oregon ... Quills & Queues: Concert aims to reunite mother and daughter ... Man sentenced after admitting to thefts of SUV ... New wolf makes its way to Southern Oregon ... OUR VIEW Our View: Unprecedented obstruction Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Feb. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Feb. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Despite arguments to the contrary, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's refusal to even hold a hearing on a Supreme Court nominee is unprecedented, going far beyond the worst of the Democrats' past tactics. Barely two hours after the first report of Justice Antonin Scalia's death, McConnell said a replacement should wait nearly a year. “The American people‎ should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice," McConnell said in a statement. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." The American people had a voice in 2012, when they re-elected Obama by a comfortable margin. According to the Constitution, which Scalia is revered for defending, the president is responsible for nominating Supreme Court justices, with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. Contrary to assertions of a tradition of not confirming nominations in a president's final year, no such tradition exists. In 1988, Ronald Reagan's last year in office, the Senate confirmed Anthony Kennedy's appointment to the court, 97-0, including McConnell and Sen. Charles Grassley, now Senate Judiciary Committee chairman. It's true that Kennedy was nominated in 1987, after Reagan's first choice, Robert Bork, was savaged by Democrats and ultimately rejected, and his second pick withdrew. It's also true that Democrats in 2007 vowed to block any George W. Bush nominee who wasn't "in the mainstream." It's expected that Republicans will oppose a nominee they dislike — after a confirmation hearing. It's refusing to even hold a hearing that is unprecedented. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Feb. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501