It’s not “obstructionism” when we do it

The President’s supporters insist vehemently that, having won the 2012 election, he has every right to try to change the Court’s direction. Yes, but the Republicans won the 2014 election, regaining control of the Senate, and they have every right to resist. This is not the same Senate that confirmed Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor as associate justices.

New York Times, 5 October 1987, with names and years changed to reflect present circumstances