[fblike]

l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on the growing fight over whether President Barack Obama will be able to get a Supreme Court justice confirmed by the Senate before the end of his presidential term.  Senate Republicans have said that they will not even grant hearings for a nominee, a position that President Obama claims is politically untenable.  Rumors suggest that President Obama may nominate centrist Nevada Republican Governor Brian Sandoval, but such a pick may alienate the Democratic base.  If a new nominee is not confirmed to replace Antonin Scalia it would mean that the 2016 presidential election would be a referendum on the future of the Supreme Court.