Hillary Clinton statement on Pres Obama's Garland Nomination

[riversedge]

http://www.nytimes.com/live/obama-supreme-court-nomination/clinton-weighs-in

12:49 pm ETWed Mar 16 2016 12:49:54 GMT-0500 (Central Standard Time)


WASHINGTON
Hillary Clinton Backs Garland Nomination

Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, could name the next Supreme Court nominee if the Senate blocks Merrick Garland and she wins the presidency. But on Wednesday she weighed in for action now:

It is the president’s Constitutional responsibility to nominate justices to the Supreme Court, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Today, in announcing Judge Merrick Garland as his nominee, President Obama has met his responsibility. He has chosen a nominee with considerable experience on the bench and in public service, a brilliant legal mind, and a long history of bipartisan support and admiration. Now, it’s up to members of the Senate to meet their own, and perform the Constitutional duty they swore to undertake.

Evaluating and confirming a justice to sit on this nation’s highest court should not be an exercise in political brinkmanship and partisan posturing. It is a serious obligation, performed on behalf of the American people, to ensure a highly qualified candidate fills a vacancy on the Court. That obligation does not depend on the party affiliation of a sitting president, nor does the Constitution make an exception to that duty in an election year.

The Senate has never taken more than 125 days to vote on a Supreme Court nominee, and on average, a confirmation or rejection has taken just two months. This Senate has almost a full year to consider and confirm Judge Garland. It should begin that work immediately by giving Judge Garland a full and fair hearing followed by a vote. That is what the American people deserve, it is what our Constitution demands, and with millions of people’s lives in the balance, anything less is entirely unacceptable.

[NurseJackie]

1. Delay or refusal damages their party.

[riversedge]

4. I do think it will. Many people are waking up --finally.

[randome]

6. I think it will, too. Too often that's hyperbole but I don't think so this time.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[Lucinda]

2. Excellent!

Now we will see what happens!

[Jitter65]

3. As soon as Hillary wins and is sworn in, Ruth will retire. Betcha!! nt

[Dawgs]

7. "Hillary win"

[NCTraveler]

10. His smile and laugh are infectious.

Love the gif.

Big Dog: "Can you believe I got that moron Trump to run in one phone call? I destroyed the Republican Party and guaranteed progressives the White House in a five minute phone call. Bwahahaha..."

Thanks for sharing. That made me smile.

Fuck Trump.

[MineralMan]

5. We should use this issue to take back the Senate in November.

If the GOoPers block this nomination, it will be a ripe issue to use on vulnerable Republican Senators. We can win the Senate if we use every issue we can to flip some seats.

Then, the next Democratic President can nominate real progressives to the bench and get them confirmed. I see it as an opportunity on several levels, either way it goes.

[democrattotheend]

8. For once, I am grateful for her tendency to be evasive and avoid giving a straight answer

Because I trust her not to get pinned down on whether she would reappoint Garland if elected.

I think her statement is just right.

[riversedge]

11. I think both candidates know enough not to endorse a SC nominee at this

point. And am glad that neither of them did.

[NCTraveler]

9. K&R nt