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Senate Republicans want Supreme Court nominee to apply law impartially

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Sunday that he wants the Supreme Court nominee who will replace retiring Justice David Souter to be someone who will apply the law without bias. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, McConnell said:what we are looking for, we meaning Republicans in the Senate ... is a nominee who will apply the law without partiality. Each federal judge takes an oath to apply the law to both the rich and the poor. Their personal views ought to be irrelevant. I think Chief Justice Roberts had it right during his confirmation hearings. He said the - a judge ought to be like an umpire - call the balls and strikes but don't make the rules. That's the kind of individual we're looking for. We know it will be someone of the political left. But a number of leftist judges have been able to put aside their personal views and call it like they see it.McConnell also said that he will not rule out the possibility of filibustering President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee. Last week, White House officials disclosed six potential nominees that Obama is considering. The list includes five women. Also last week, conservative Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) was chosen by Senate Republicans to replace newly-declared Democrat Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) as ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sessions will play a key role in questioning Obama's nominee. Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has said that he hopes to have a replacement for Souter confirmed by the beginning of the Court's 2009 term in October. When news of Souter's retirement first became public earlier this month, Obama said he would, "seek somebody with a sharp and independent mind and a record of excellence and integrity."

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on May 18, 2009 (boomark / email).