If history were composed of social media posts, future generations might conclude that 2016 was the most traumatic year in our nation’s political history. Hyperbole ruled the day as the New Year approached, and a skeptical electorate seemed prepared to watch another administration systematically violate every promise of the previous year.
Instead, when history reflects on the unpredictable and lasting impact of the 2016 election, the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court may well stand out as the moment when the pain and sarcasm of 2016 began to fully transition into the optimism of the Trump years.
As summer turned to fall, the election of President Trump was anything but a given. Fallout from a protracted Republican primary, lingering unease amongst competing factions within the conservative movement, coupled with a nominee determined to run an unorthodox campaign, led most political prognosticators to conclude Trump was a longshot at best.
One of the predominant events that significantly turned the tide, in retrospect, was the untimely death of Justice Antinon Scalia. Universally loved by those who value originalism on the Court, and held up as a benchmark by which future nominees ought to be measured even before his passing, Scalia’s memory weighed heavy on the hearts of many as the campaign came to a close.
It was the Supreme Court vacancy, and candidate Trump’s promise to nominate someone in the mold of Justice Scalia, that helped Constitutional conservatives like Ted Cruz to not only offer his endorsement, but also to
actively stump for Trump in the closing days of the campaign. The Trump campaign
published a list of 21 potential nominees, reaffirmed the commitment to seek out someone who could pick up the mantle of Scalia, and helped pave the way to bring together a coalition that would eventually win the election.
Appealing to those who harbored lingering reservations,
Cruz wrote:
For anyone concerned about the Bill of Rights — free speech, religious liberty, the Second Amendment — the Court hangs in the balance. I have spent my professional career fighting before the Court to defend the Constitution. We are only one justice away from losing our most basic rights, and the next president will appoint as many as four new justices. We know, without a doubt, that every Clinton appointee would be a left-wing ideologue. Trump, in contrast, has promised to appoint justices “in the mold of Scalia.”
Last night President Trump made good on his promise. Judge Neil Gorsuch has a track record that gives hope to those who overcame their differences with President Trump and worked together to secure his election. When accepting the nomination, Judge Gorsuch began his remarks by pledging that, “If I am confirmed, I will do all my powers permit to be a faithful servant of the Constitution and the laws of this great country.”
When reflecting on the gravity of the responsibility he is being asked to assume, Judge Gorsuch spoke fondly of the man he has been nominated to replace. Speaking in reverent tones, he reminded the nation that “Justice Scalia was a lion of the law.” He continued, “Agree or disagree with him, all of his colleagues on the bench cherished his wisdom and his humor, and like them I miss him.”
Now it’s time to form a Conservative Alliance to help fight for the confirmation of Judge Gorsuch. Despite his unanimous support in the Senate just a little over 10 years ago,
partisan detractors in Congress began almost immediately to stir up
contrived outrage over the thought of another Supreme Court Justice who considers fidelity to the Constitution a prerequisite for service.
Many influential individuals and groups are coming together to support the quick confirmation of Judge Gorsuch.
Join the Conservative Alliance today by signing up to receive updates and information about how you can help ensure Judge Gorsuch is sworn in as Justice Gorsuch.
