Supreme Court vacancy reframes presidential race
WASHINGTON — The unexpected death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and the immediate declaration from Republicans that the next president should nominate his replacement, adds even more weight to the decision voters will make in November’s general election.
The provocative conservative justice died Friday night at 79.
Candidates in both parties moved quickly to reframe the election as a referendum on the nine-member high court’s future.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz released a new television advertisement Monday warning voters that conservatives are “just one Supreme Court justice away” from losing on issues including “life, marriage, religious liberty, the Second Amendment.” The spot also suggests Republican front-runner Donald Trump would nominate more liberal justices and includes clips of the real estate mogul saying he’s “very pro-choice.”
Democrat Hillary Clinton painted a similarly stark scenario.
“If any of us needed a reminder of just how important it is to take back the United States Senate and hold onto the White House, just look at the Supreme Court,” Clinton said.
Clinton has said the court’s makeup is crucial to preserving abortion rights and the legality of gay marriage nationwide.
The court now is divided between four liberal and four typically conservative justices.
Obama pledged to nominate a replacement in “due time,” even after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that responsibility should f all to the winner of the 2016 election.
Obama could try to force a nominee through the Senate this year. Even if that were to happen, a confirmation vote probably would be months away, leaving the Supreme Court in the centre of the campaign during the nomination process.
Former attorney general Alberto Gonzales, who served in the cabinet of president George W. Bush, said Monday that Obama has an obligation to select a replacement for Scalia, telling CNN that “the president has to do his job.” Gonzales said that the Senate, likewise, has a role and should weigh Obama’s choice “on its own calendar.”