Opinion: Supreme Court Selection
The Supreme Court has a profound impact on all of our civil liberties. With the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia on Feb. 13, there was speculation about whether President Obama would select a successor. Obama said, “I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time.”
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”
With the Republicans holding majorities in both houses of Congress, they could easily reject any nominee that they deem too left-leaning. McConnell is already in a position to do this without having to state it. With Obama’s selection of centrist Merrick Garland on March 22, this statement makes McConnell look like a “flip-flopper” if the already tentative situation were to change.
In a best-case scenario for McConnell, a Republican wins the presidency. McConnell, who endorsed Rand Paul for president, has become the majority leader by being a party man. Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are not party men. The mainstream GOP at this point is hoping that none of the candidates can get the required delegates. Former Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner said, “If we don’t have a nominee who can win on the first ballot, I’m for none of the above.”
Suppose a Democrat is elected and they decide that it is now in their power to delay a selection until after congressional elections in hopes of a more favorable split between the parties. By waiting until after the election, Congress is creating a precedent.
