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.
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.
This is a
responsibility I do not take lightly. In considering several candidates, I
held each to 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.
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.
However,
I know there will be cases before the Supreme Court in which the law is not
clear. In those cases, a Justice’s analysis will necessarily be shaped
by his or her own perspective, ethics, and judgment.
Therefore,
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.
I’m
confident you’ll share my conviction that this American is not only
eminently qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice, but deserves a fair
hearing, and an up-or-down vote.
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.
President
Barack Obama
P.S. If
you’re looking for the latest on my Supreme Court nominee and the
confirmation process in the Senate, check out @SCOTUSnom on Twitter. You’ll find all the facts and
up-to-date information there.
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