President Obama Not Throwing In Towel for Merrick Garland's Supreme Court Nomination

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• published: 27 Aug 2016
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Good afternoon I'm ABC's John Parkinson here at the White House and this afternoon I'm joined by the principal deputy white house Press Secretary Eric Schultz. So Eric. As you know you've been kind heading up all that Merrick Garland communications with the white house press corps. It's been now I believe he had a 168 days is that right seize the nomination up just over a 160 days soulless thing going on Valium. Well John as you point out it's been over a 160 days this is actually the longest wait for any Supreme Court nominee. History the irony is chief George Carlin brings the most qualifications. To this nomination and an east. How many history so. Chief judge Garland has been busy performing his administrative duties at. We're here in Washington he's also preparing. For his confirmation. Process in the senate even meeting with the number of senate Democrats. And some Republicans. So we hope that when the senate resumes. There's passion and taking its confirmation process really. It's been seven week recess now we had. You know the conventions. We've had this long recess period were members of congress and senate are holding these town hall meetings with the their constituents. Why hasn't this been a bigger issues doesn't seem like we've really heard a lot over the last seven weeks from members of congress on us. We'll have to see what happens when they get out I think it. If you look at public polling you can see the wide majorities of Americans both Republicans and Democrats support before Obama's nominee. This is someone who comes to this. The nomination with the unquestionable. Integrity and qualifications. The American Bar Association which is a nonpartisan independent entity. Quickly takes a good hard look at judicial nominees. For its highest rating chief judge Garland. Chief judge Garland. So. Very few chief judge Garland. If someone they look debt intensely they have. I talked to hundreds of people who know the judge and not one of them could find something negative to say so. We believe the senate should come back to do its job and move forward on this confirmation. Well. You know it's a hot summer out here I think you see the sprinkler is gone and be over ninety degrees today in Washington. Do you think that it you know once the once the congress comes back and weaker two this is something that can is going to be. First and foremost on their student while our viewers this is the senate ought to do its job. And it this is not only consistent with past precedent it's consistent with their responsibilities as laid out in the constitution. President took some time to select someone who he believes the most qualified to be on the Supreme Court. Again this is someone who would either Republicans concede would be a consensus nominee until our belief is that Republicans ought to get back here and do their job and Starwood confirmation hearings when he returns what can Harry reduce. To kind of push this issue. Well I think senate Democrats have been united the chief judge Garland deserves a hearing and about so. We don't think the recalcitrant since been on the outside we can Republicans have been. Unfortunately. Pretty dedicated today in in their obstruction. We're gonna to see we see a handful of Republicans say that they think McConnell strategy in this been misguided. Plus we'll have to see at the end of the day if they're able to convince their colleagues to do what's right. But it seems like they're strategy so far it is 160 plus days is really working out the army and boy you're right there the senator have taken time out of the president has Mellish soon. The progress that we'd like on this nomination. Hot as you point out he's. In waiting the longest and Supreme Court history but we ultimately feel that when. There is a hearing and when there is a vote. If you've just gone deserves confirmation that's going to take our word for it that's Republicans think that's what's wrong Bush Administration officials think. Former Bush Administration attorney general Alberto Gonzales. Chief George Carlin. It's so we believe that. Rational heads should prevail and that's what we think fashion if we have this. So we moved into the shape here's the west wing on the driveway I think you can. We've got a marine standing here looks like the president is is in the west doing right now. He's got you know 74 days until Election Day it's got a 144 days left in his administration. What's the campaign going to be like for him over the next you know 74 days. What's his participation in this process going to look like Shrek. The president's been clear that he wants to be real active participant in in this year's campaign I think you're fairly compelling convention speech delivered in prime time. That's this speech you can spend a lot of time working on. But I think it's a message that you're gonna hear frequently now and Election Day.