The GOP has vowed to not insert politics into the selection of the next Supreme Court justice following Scalia's death last month. They assert that "the people" deserve to have a voice in the nomination process, which requires the election of a new President first. Clearly, this is not at all about politics, right? It is not even connected to an election...wait. They are just banking on a Republican president *cough cough* taking over and nominating someone even more conservative, right? Totally not political at all.
So here we are, a wall of stubborn Republicans, throwing temper tantrums, refusing to break from the party line of "obstruct obstruct obstruct." Well, except for a handful that are facing tough reelection campaigns and have agreed to meetings with Garland. Obama nominated a fairly moderate U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit judge with an unblemished record for the GOP to try to tear down. As of yet, there is little for them to base a denial on, outside of pure spite towards Obama personally. Yet, this isn't about politics, right?
The irony? Just 19 years ago, Orrin Hatch gave an impassioned speech supporting Garland's nomination.
"I support the nomination and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Garland, to my knowledge, no one, absolutely disputes the following, Mr. Garland is highly qualified to sit on DC Circuit. His intelligence and his scholarship cannot be questioned."
What changed between now and then? Nothing, except partisan politics as usual. GOP leadership cutting off their nose to spite their face. What do they think will happen in November? Do they honestly think Trump will nominate someone better? What about Clinton or Sanders?
Do your job, Senators.
