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Obama’s Supreme Court choice may have made the best case for his confirmation Obama’s Supreme Court choice may have made the best case for his confirmation
(about 4 hours later)
President Obama’s choice for the Supreme Court may have made the most powerful argument for his nomination Tuesday in the White House’s Rose Garden.President Obama’s choice for the Supreme Court may have made the most powerful argument for his nomination Tuesday in the White House’s Rose Garden.
Merrick Garland glanced down nervously at notes as he tried to explain how much the nomination meant both to him to him and his family. Amid all of the political rancor, threats and name-calling of the past few months, Garland displayed emotions that have been in short supply in Washington or on the campaign trail. Merrick Garland glanced down nervously at notes as he tried to explain how much the nomination meant both to him and his family. Amid all of the political rancor, threats and name-calling of the past few months, Garland displayed emotions that have been in short supply in Washington or on the campaign trail.
The 63-year-old jurist, clad in a baggy blue suit, appeared genuinely humbled and overwhelmed.The 63-year-old jurist, clad in a baggy blue suit, appeared genuinely humbled and overwhelmed.
“This is the greatest honor of my life other than Lynn agreeing to marry me 28 years ago,” he said, his voice catching on the enormity of the words and the rush of emotion.“This is the greatest honor of my life other than Lynn agreeing to marry me 28 years ago,” he said, his voice catching on the enormity of the words and the rush of emotion.
He imagined his mother watching on television at home and “crying her eyes out.” He choked up again when he spoke of his deceased father who “ran the smallest of small businesses from a room in our basement.”He imagined his mother watching on television at home and “crying her eyes out.” He choked up again when he spoke of his deceased father who “ran the smallest of small businesses from a room in our basement.”
“I only wish that my father were here to see this today,” he said.“I only wish that my father were here to see this today,” he said.
Obama is betting that putting forward an actual judge with a real record could force some Republicans who might be wavering to consider his nominee. The president spent nearly 20 minutes making the case for Garland before the judge spoke. Most of Obama’s entreaties were familiar to anyone who has been paying attention since Justice Antonin Scalia died a month ago in Texas.Obama is betting that putting forward an actual judge with a real record could force some Republicans who might be wavering to consider his nominee. The president spent nearly 20 minutes making the case for Garland before the judge spoke. Most of Obama’s entreaties were familiar to anyone who has been paying attention since Justice Antonin Scalia died a month ago in Texas.
Obama spoke of the reputation of the Supreme Court and Americans’ faith in the justice system, both of which he said “will inevitably suffer” if Senate Republicans did not give Garland a fair hearing.Obama spoke of the reputation of the Supreme Court and Americans’ faith in the justice system, both of which he said “will inevitably suffer” if Senate Republicans did not give Garland a fair hearing.
He described the “exhaustive process” he went through in choosing his nominee and waxed poetic on the importance of the Supreme Court in American democracy. He praised Garland’s record as a federal prosecutor.He described the “exhaustive process” he went through in choosing his nominee and waxed poetic on the importance of the Supreme Court in American democracy. He praised Garland’s record as a federal prosecutor.
Then he stepped aside for Garland, who spoke for only a few minutes.Then he stepped aside for Garland, who spoke for only a few minutes.
The White House seemed to realize the power that a flesh-and-blood human being might have on the divisive debate surrounding the nomination. Even before Obama was finished talking Tuesday, the White House posted a short video introducing Garland to the American people. There were pictures of him on the beach as a young man and as a father hugging his two daughters. In the video, he was describing how he met his wife at a wedding rehearsal dinner and imagining what it would be like to stand next to the president in the Rose Garden.The White House seemed to realize the power that a flesh-and-blood human being might have on the divisive debate surrounding the nomination. Even before Obama was finished talking Tuesday, the White House posted a short video introducing Garland to the American people. There were pictures of him on the beach as a young man and as a father hugging his two daughters. In the video, he was describing how he met his wife at a wedding rehearsal dinner and imagining what it would be like to stand next to the president in the Rose Garden.
“I actually think it will feel like an out-of-body experience,” he said. “This is not anything I could have ever imagined growing up in Lincolnwood, Ill.”“I actually think it will feel like an out-of-body experience,” he said. “This is not anything I could have ever imagined growing up in Lincolnwood, Ill.”
Meanwhile, in real life, in the Rose Garden, Garland was fighting to contain the same emotions. The gray-haired judge peered over the presidential seal and the microphones, catching the eye of wife Lynn and daughter Jessie, who were sitting in the front row. He joked that he and his wife regretted having taught his older daughter to be “so adventurous.” She was hiking in the mountains out of cellphone range when the president called and was unable to make it back in time for the ceremony.Meanwhile, in real life, in the Rose Garden, Garland was fighting to contain the same emotions. The gray-haired judge peered over the presidential seal and the microphones, catching the eye of wife Lynn and daughter Jessie, who were sitting in the front row. He joked that he and his wife regretted having taught his older daughter to be “so adventurous.” She was hiking in the mountains out of cellphone range when the president called and was unable to make it back in time for the ceremony.
Flanked on either side by the president and vice president, he quietly thanked Obama.Flanked on either side by the president and vice president, he quietly thanked Obama.
“I am grateful beyond words for the honor you have bestowed on me,” he said, glancing over at the president who placed a hand on Garland’s back and gently guided him up the steps and back into the White House.“I am grateful beyond words for the honor you have bestowed on me,” he said, glancing over at the president who placed a hand on Garland’s back and gently guided him up the steps and back into the White House.