Vice President Joe Biden weighed into the Supreme Court nomination conversation for Antonin Scalia’s replacement and said President Obama should work with Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley to come up with a consensus pick.
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“I think what’s fair to say is that how judicial nominations have evolved over time is not historically the fault of any single party”, Obama said. But a spokesman for the Indiana Republican said Thursday that doesn’t mean Coats wouldn’t consider an Obama nominee to replace Scalia, who died February 13. Biden told MSNBC the president had sought his advice but they had yet to discuss potential candidates.
In the week that followed, presidential candidates and senators debating the legitimacy of President Obama’s constitutional right to appoint a replacement (and what candidates will be on his shortlist).
Scalia was found dead on Saturday in his room at a remote Texas hunting resort. “I think we fall into the trap, if we just simply say sight unseen, we fall into the trap of being obstructionists”, Tillis said.
People hold signs of thanks and support while waiting in line to pay their respects to Antonin Scalia outside the court building.
“I have been very clear that the Senate should not confirm any nominee in a lame duck session”.
The retired justice also rejected Republicans’ argument that in an election year, the president has lost his popular mandate to make an appointment.
The casket, draped in a USA flag, was carried up the courthouse’s grand marble stairs and into the hall by Supreme Court police officers in ceremonial dress with a group of former Scalia law clerks in attendance.
“If we are following basic precedent, then that nominee will be presented before the committees; the vote will be taken; and ultimately, they’ll be confirmed”, he said.
Obama will not attend Scalia’s funeral on Saturday, a decision that provoked criticism from some conservatives.
“Yes”, Biden said. “I’m confident [Obama] will reach out to the Senate and go through the process of advise and consent”.
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O’Connor, 85, agreed it’s unusual for a Supreme Court vacancy to open in an election year, which “creates much talk around the thing that isn’t necessary”.
