'I've Made My Decision,' Says President Barack Obama on Supreme Court Nominee
President Barack Obama announced early Wednesday that he has decided on a nominee to replace late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and is expected to reveal his decision in an official announcement at 11:00 a.m.
According to the White House blog, Obama first made the announcement of his decision in a message to the White House email list.
"Today, I will announce the person whom I believe is eminently qualified to sit on the Supreme Court. As President, it is both my constitutional duty to nominate a Justice and one of the most important decisions that I — or any president — will make," Obama begins in the message.
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"I've devoted a considerable amount of time and deliberation to this decision. I've consulted with legal experts and people across the political spectrum, both inside and outside government. And we've reached out to every member of the Senate, who each have a responsibility to do their job and take this nomination just as seriously," he noted.
President Obama is expected to make his announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House.
He said in making his decision, he considered "three principles that reflect the role the Supreme Court plays in our democracy."
"First, a Justice should possess an independent mind, unimpeachable credentials, and an unquestionable mastery of law. There is no doubt this person will face complex legal questions, so it is imperative that he or she possess a rigorous intellect that will help provide clear answers," he said.
"Second, a Justice should recognize the limits of the judiciary's role. With a commitment to impartial justice rather than any particular ideology, the next Supreme Court Justice will understand that the job is to interpret the law, not make law," he continued.
Pointing to cases before the Supreme Court on which the law isn't clear and would require analysis from a Justice that will be "shaped by his or her own perspective, ethics, and judgment," Obama said the third quality he used in making his decision was "life experience."
"The third quality I looked for 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. In my view, that's an essential element for arriving at just decisions and fair outcomes," he said.
He then called on the Senate to move quickly in considering his nominee.
"In putting forward a nominee today, I am fulfilling my constitutional duty. I'm doing my job. I hope that our Senators will do their jobs, and move quickly to consider my nominee. That is what the Constitution dictates, and that's what the American people expect and deserve from their leaders," he said.
