McConnell has laid down the gauntlet. I think it is a safe bet that there isn’t anyone that Obama could nominate that the Republican controlled senate will approve. So my questions are these:
1. What cases are currently on the SCOTUS schedule for this term?
2. If the court has only 8 judges, are tie votes referred back to a lower court?
3. Does the ruling of that lower court stand until such time as it can be taken up by a new SCOTUS?
4. Of the cases currently on the docket, which ones favor the conservatives if the lower court ruling stands?
5. Which ones favor the liberals?
6. Can the court add more cases to this term?
