For the Record's week in review: It's Nev-a-da, not Nev-ah-da
Happy Saturday, For the Record friends! It's primary and caucuses day in the South and out West, and Team FTR is here to remind you about the proper pronunciation of one of those states. (We're not ignoring South Carolina; everyone already knows how to say "South Carolina.") So, for the record, it's Nevada, like Nebraska. There is no "ah" sound involved. Ignore anyone who says some mishmash about "Spanish pronunciation" -- that rule doesn't seem to apply to states like Montana, Colorado or Florida. Trust us, this serves you in the long run: You can now visit the Silver State without fear of being booed.
With that PSA, let's get down to the big news of the week.
RIP, Justice Scalia
It's been a week since Antonin Scalia died suddenly during a hunting trip to Texas. The flamboyantly conservative justice will be laid to rest after a funeral Mass today in Washington, D.C., and much has already been said about what will become of his legacy. But don't expect the Supreme Court vacancy he left behind to be settled any time soon. While President Obama plans to start vetting candidates this weekend, his efforts may be for naught, given that any Obama nominee would have to win approval from the Republican-controlled Senate made up of people who have already made up their minds to block a nomination, sight unseen. How the Senate Republican leadership (and some GOP presidential candidates) paints it: They want the next president to make the choice. Supreme Court appointments were already part of the 2016 chatter, but this development takes it to another level. Oh, and a reminder: The last person to make an appointment during an election year was Republican hero Ronald Reagan.
Quick hypothetical: Let's say the Senate does vote down any/all Obama nominees for the next 11 months. The Democratic nominee wins in November. What will the still-probably-controlled-by-Republicans Senate do then?
Another query: Who would President Trump nominate?
The questions are endless.
Cruz's Canadian crisis
Gather round, kids, and hear the tale of the man who found out he was Canadian. For years, he had mocked the country -- only to eventually find out that he was part Mountie. Upon this realization, he screamed, "No, it's not true! That's impossible!" and ran out of the room. He later dressed up as a boxer to prove his American-ness and had a nightmare about being a friendly and polite Canadian.
That's actually a plot from How I Met Your Mother, but it basically applies to Ted Cruz. We've been documenting Cruz's identity crisis for ages, and it's all coming to a head this week. First, Donald Trump said he might sue Cruz over his eligibility. Cruz replied, "Bring it." Then an Illinois court agreed to hear another lawsuit over Cruz's Canadian-ness. Cruz's response: I was never served, so it doesn't count. We look forward to whatever comes next in this Canadian chronicle.
Trump v. Pope
The Donald got into a war of words with the most unlikely person this week: Pope Francis. It all began when the pope said a person who wants to build walls isn't Christian, disappointing Trump and construction crews everywhere. Trump shot back: the pope was clearly being used, the pope was being disgraceful, the pope would regret all of this when the Islamic State attacked. Francis, being Francis, shrugged. The Vatican put it all to rest on Friday, basically telling Trump to take it easy since it wasn't a personal attack. Trump take things personally? Never.
Happy voting/caucusing!
For you South Carolina Republicans and Nevada Democrats, anyway. Who will come in second in South Carolina? What happened to Hillary Clinton's huge lead in Nevada? Do they really use a deck of cards in Nevada to determine who wins in the result of a tie? (Spoiler: Yes, yes they do.) We'll have all that and more in Monday's edition.
Until then,