The Senate Flips

Well the Republicans flipped the Senate as expected but with more wins than expected. Picking up West Virginia was a given and Senator Tester's loss in Montana was no surprise. But Senator Brown losing in Ohio followed by Senator Casey in Pa was a bit more surprising. So the Republicans have picked up 4 seats and will have a 53 to 47 Majority in the Senate. This is huge combined with Trumps win. And ALL 3 of those Democrat Senators that lost had a lot of seniority.

Most people give all their attention to the Presidential and then the House/Senate. But I am a Court junkie and I always try to keep my eye on the Third and EQUAL branch of our Government.  So again Trump, with the help of a Republican Senate, will control who sits upon our Court benches. His power to further move the Courts, especially the Circuit and Supreme Courts cannot be under estimated. If Thomas and Alito were both to retire, then President Trump will have appointed 5 of the 9 Supreme Court Justices. One President. If something happens to any of the 3 Liberal Justices, Sotomayor is rumored to be in poor health, it could be 6 out of 9. Think about that for a second. The impact of this will play out for decades and generations. 

Now in the future the President and Congress can flip back and forth every few years. But Judges are LIFETIME appointments and there is no big change every few years. The Courts makeup can be set in stone for years, especially if younger Judges are appointed. Trumps Judges were generally young with many years to Serve on the Bench.

I have been doing some research in my spare time on the political balance shift in the US Circuit Courts. I will post it in a thread when I get time to finish. Some may find it interesting.