Should the President attend Justice Scalia's Funeral?

[Jumper_Dad]

The President and First Lady were to pay their respects today to Justice Scalia and his family, along with many other political leaders today. However the President is not attending the Funeral on Saturday of Justice Scalia. According to the White House he will be spending most of the weekend reviewing the files of possible replacements for Scalia.

 

Should the President make time to attend the funeral or is it, cool that he's not.

 

For the record I think it was stated that as far as they can determine, no President has failed to attend the funeral service of a sitting Justice that passed away.

[UKMustangFan]

I think it's the respectful thing to do, but I don't necessarily think it's wrong of him to not go.

[Getslow]

I think he should, but like UKMF, I'm not hugely bothered if he doesn't.

 

Once again the president seems strangely aloof in the face of something sad, like when he didn't go to Paris with other world leaders following the Parisian massacres. I just don't get what he's thinking sometimes.

[MJAlltheWay24]

I'm sure plenty out there and maybe even on here are appalled that he's skipping. I do think that he should, unless there were other pressing matters that prevented it. But it's not a big deal to me that he doesn't at the same time.

[halfback20]

Yes.

[Twotoplace]

Obama paid his respects today. Biden's a better fit at the service on Saturday.

[lawildcat]

Gotta give Biden something to do!

[OlDog75]

Not surprised by this President. If this was in his first term, he'd be there. Some say "not a big deal". I say it shows a lack of respect, but like I posted, not surprised and just fortifies my opinion of him.

[Bengal Maniac]

He should attend.

[jericho]

Out of respect of his position as the Pres. Yes

 

Does it really matter. No

 

If he is golfing then pathetic move in his part.

 

Reviewing papers, seriously. Could they not come up with a better lie than that.

[LIPTON BASH]

I don't know what past precedence is when a justice dies so I'm not going to over step what I say.

 

If it is true as reported he has no pressing matters on his schedule during the time of funeral , then I don't understand why he wouldn't.

 

Presidents have attended funerals for major figures who they may disagree with political throughout our history.

[Twotoplace]

Out of respect of his position as the Pres. Yes

 

Does it really matter. No

 

If he is golfing then pathetic move in his part.

 

Reviewing papers, seriously. Could they not come up with a better lie than that.

Perhaps the Scalia family sent word that they would be more comfortable with an old K of C boy like Biden, as opposed to an Islamist like Obama, sitting in pew No. 1.

 

I get a kick out of these outrage threads. Everything is an outrage these days. And this one even has its own poll! I'll tune in to Fox tonight to get more of my outrage fix from Greta and Sean about a topic that no one really cares about.

[OlDog75]

Perhaps the Scalia family sent word that they would be more comfortable with an old K of C boy like Biden, as opposed to an Islamist like Obama, sitting in pew No. 1.

 

I get a kick out of these outrage threads. Everything is an outrage these days. And this one even has its own poll! I'll tune in to Fox tonight to get more of my outrage fix from Greta and Sean about a topic that no one really cares about.

 

Oh please. As an American citizen, in my opinion the President of the United States should attend the funeral of a justice of the Supreme Court. Only Presidents can nominate justices and out of respect for both parts of government, he should be there.

[75center]

Perhaps the Scalia family sent word that they would be more comfortable with an old K of C boy like Biden, as opposed to an Islamist like Obama, sitting in pew No. 1.

 

I get a kick out of these outrage threads. Everything is an outrage these days. And this one even has its own poll! I'll tune in to Fox tonight to get more of my outrage fix from Greta and Sean about a topic that no one really cares about.

 

Please point out the outrage in this thread, I missed it.

[Voice of Reason]

Yes, I believe he should attend, unless the family indicated or said they would prefer Biden represent the White House, and I can't imagine anyone telling that to the President.

 

One, he should attend out of respect for the position of Justice.

 

Second, and not the best reason but one he should keep in mind, if Obama wants respect for the nomination of a successor and for the person he chooses, he should show respect for the predecessor.

 

In addition, because everything in Washington is political, it would be a good move politically. If he doesn't go, it will be something his haters will use against him and his nominated successor to Scalia.