Let America, Not Lame-Duck Obama, Decide Scalia’s Replacement

2016-03-17

This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute. President Obama is seeking to secure yet another dubious legacy before he leaves office. This one would alter the ideological composition – and the balance – of the U.S. Supreme Court, possibly for a generation. Mr. Obama’s pick is federal Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland, a man we’re told is a “moderate.” If true, he would still be far to the left of the justice he’d replace: conservative Antonin Scalia. But even the leftist New York Times is ack...

This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute.

President Obama is seeking to secure yet another dubious legacy before he leaves office. This one would alter the ideological composition – and the balance – of the U.S. Supreme Court, possibly for a generation.

Mr. Obama’s pick is federal Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland, a man we’re told is a “moderate.” If true, he would still be far to the left of the justice he’d replace: conservative Antonin Scalia. But even the leftist New York Times is acknowledging that a Justice Garland would be more “progressive” than two other liberal Supremes, Sonya Sotomayor and Stephen Bryer.

Especially given the stakes, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Republican caucus are right to let the voters decide who fills Scalia’s seat. The GOP will, of course, be savaged for this principled position. But they must hold the line, and be supported in doing so.

This is Frank Gaffney.

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