Obama challenges Republicans as he weighs Nevada governor for SCOTUS

President Obama vowed on Wednesday to move ahead with a U.S. Supreme Court nominee, and said Republicans would risk public ire if they blocked a qualified candidate for political motives, as well as diminish the credibility of the high court. Sources close to the nomination process told Reuters that Nevada Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval was one of a few potential nominees being vetted by the White House to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Obama said that if Senate Republicans defy the Constitution by snubbing his nominee, the ability of any future president to pick judges will further erode.

At that point, not only are you going to see more and more vacancies and the court system break down, but the credibility of the Court begins to diminish because it’s viewed simply as an extension of our politics.

President Obama

Obama and his team are hoping to select a well-regarded candidate Republicans would be hard-pressed to oppose, then build a public campaign of support for him or her while ratcheting up political pressure on Republicans for standing in the way of fair consideration. But Republicans showed no signs of backing down. A few, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have said they would not even meet with the nominee when he or she makes introductions on Capitol Hill.

Why even put that ball on the field?… All you’re going to do is fumble it. Let the people decide.

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

SCOTUS