Supreme Court Nominee: Merrick Garland

[TheRealJoeFish]

President Obama will announce Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, as his nominee to fill the vacancy created by Justice Scalia's passing.

Garland is a 63 year old white male often described as a centrist.  He was probably #2 in 2010 when Elena Kagan got the nomination and eventually the position. 

Garland graduated from Harvard undergrad and Harvard Law School, and was the lead investigator in the Unabomber and Oklahoma City bombing.

[AFTT47]

Too old! He might not last more than 3 election cycles.

[TheRealJoeFish]

This is probably the perfect pick for this particular situation. If Obama nominated someone in his 40s, they'd be able to say "he's too young." If Obama nominated someone who had only been a Circuit Court Judge for a few years, they'd be able to say "he's too inexperienced." If Obama nominated someone African American or of other non-Caucasian ethnicity, or even any woman, they'd be able to say "they're just being nominated for diversity reasons instead of on merit" (that many people would buy this argument is another thing, but, I said it's an excuse, not a good one).

With Garland, they'll only be able to say "... we don't want to."

[TheRealJoeFish]

Clerked for Justice Brennan in the late 70s.  Nominated to a DC Circuit position by Clinton in 1995, but not confirmed until 1997 because, as you may have guessed, the Republican-controlled senate wanted to wait for the next election.  When they got around to it, they did confirm him by a 76-23 vote.  He is essentially as middle-of-the-road as one can be, and has a history of ruling fairly and accurately.  He is a very good writer.

Judge Garland is Jewish, was born in Chicago, and graduated high school in Skokie, Illinois. No word on whether he was a member of any barbershop quartets there, though.

[AFTT47]

There is that but with Trump looking more and more like the Republican nominee (and polling well behind Hillary), I don't think we need to make compromises. Let the Republicans say no - it'll only hurt them politically. They might say yes to this guy, seeing that it will be a relatively short-term appointment, he's not a true liberal and the Democrats are probably going to keep the Whitehouse.

[vorlon13]

Damn, a goatee and some chaps and we'd have a DILF . . .

[Divinity]

Fucking Terrible choice. I hope this is just a "Let's throw one out so they can say they denied it."

[TheRealJoeFish]

There is that but with Trump looking more and more like the Republican nominee (and polling well behind Hillary), I don't think we need to make compromises. Let the Republicans say no - it'll only hurt them politically. They might say yes to this guy, seeing that it will be a relatively short-term appointment, he's not a true liberal and the Democrats are probably going to keep the Whitehouse.

I sort of agree.  I like Garland but he is not my preferred choice.  And when I said he's the perfect choice for this vacancy, I do mean from a broader political perspective, not from a "I think he would be the perfect justice" standpoint.

[AFTT47]

Fucking Terrible choice.  I hope this is just a "Let's throw one out so they can say they denied it."

Problem is, they might not deny it. I certainly wouldn't if I were them.

[Divinity]

Yeah, they might just approve it to get this guy on there. Which makes Obama look weak too.