Democrats Threaten to Skip Barrett Vote [OPINION]

Former Democrat President Barack Obama said, "elections have consequences." Indeed they do. That smug little dig from No. 44 was a lot more satisfying to Democrats when they ruled the roost. But what goes up must come down, and sooner or later can bite you on the keister.

The Democrats are angry that President Donald J. Trump has a third opportunity to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court and are even angrier that he is taking full advantage of it. They should be angry with the late Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for not opting to retire sooner so that Obama could have filled her seat. Oh well.

Confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett began this week with the usual chicanery from the Democrats. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) asked Coney Barrett if she'd ever sexually molested anyone. Now there's a winning line of questioning. Hirono actually had to read the question from her notes.

When asked by another senator about the notes she was consulting to answer senators' questions, Coney Barrett held up a blank note pad. She was not using notes. Impressive.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says Democrat senators will ask questions of Coney Barrett but will boycott actual votes on her nomination in hopes of depriving the Republicans of a quorum. A vote in the Judiciary Committee is not a requirement for the nomination to go to the full Senate, and Republicans have a majority and a potential tiebreaker in Vice President Mike Pence in the Senate, so a quorum isn't a real concern.

If the Democrats are sincere about their opposition to Amy Coney Barrett, they should show up and vote "no" on the question of confirmation. After all, showing up and voting is what they get paid to do.

Otherwise, they look like a bunch of teenagers sulking because they can't stay out past curfew.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.