US Supreme Court Vacancy part 2
What President Obama is looking for in a
Supreme Court nominee:
With the passing of Justice
Antonin Scalia, the President now has a duty to nominate someone to sit on the
bench of our nation's highest court. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution
makes that responsibility clear. It's a responsibility President Obama takes
seriously -- and one he hopes the Senate will take seriously, too.
This week, in a guest post for SCOTUSblog,
the President offered some insight into what he's looking for in a Supreme
Court nominee. Here's what he had to say:
The Constitution vests in the President the power to appoint
judges to the Supreme Court. It’s a duty that I take seriously, and one that I
will fulfill in the weeks ahead.
It’s also one of the most important decisions that a President
will make. Rulings handed down by the Supreme Court directly affect our
economy, our security, our rights, and our daily lives.
Needless to say, this isn’t something I take lightly. It’s a
decision to which I devote considerable time, deep reflection, careful
deliberation, and serious consultation with legal experts, members of both
political parties, and people across the political spectrum. And with thanks to
SCOTUSblog for allowing me to guest post today, I thought I’d share some
spoiler-free insights into what I think about before appointing the person who
will be our next Supreme Court Justice.
First and foremost, the person I appoint will be eminently
qualified. He or she will have an independent mind, rigorous intellect,
impeccable credentials, and a record of excellence and integrity. I’m looking
for a mastery of the law, with an ability to hone in on the key issues before
the Court, and provide clear answers to complex legal questions.
Second, the person I appoint will be someone who recognizes the
limits of the judiciary’s role; who understands that a judge’s job is to
interpret the law, not make the law. I seek judges who approach decisions
without any particular ideology or agenda, but rather a commitment to impartial
justice, a respect for precedent, and a determination to faithfully apply the
law to the facts at hand.
But I’m also mindful that there will be cases that reach the
Supreme Court in which the law is not clear. There will be cases in which a
judge’s analysis necessarily will be shaped by his or her own perspective,
ethics, and judgment. That’s why the third quality I seek in a judge is a keen
understanding that justice is not about abstract legal theory, nor some
footnote in a dusty casebook. It’s the kind of life experience earned outside
the classroom and the courtroom; experience that suggests he or she views the
law not only as an intellectual exercise, but also grasps the way it affects
the daily reality of people’s lives in a big, complicated democracy, and in
rapidly changing times. That, I believe, is an essential element for arriving
at just decisions and fair outcomes.
A sterling record. A deep respect for the judiciary’s role. An
understanding of the way the world really works. That’s what I’m considering as
I fulfill my constitutional duty to appoint a judge to our highest court. And
as Senators prepare to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to consider
the person I appoint, I hope they’ll move quickly to debate and then confirm
this nominee so that the Court can continue to serve the American people at
full strength.
Get the latest updates on the Supreme Court nomination process at wh.gov/scotus.
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