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What President Obama is looking for in a Supreme Court nominee:

With the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, the President now has a duty to nominate someone to sit on the bench of our nation's highest court. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution makes that responsibility clear. It's a responsibility President Obama takes seriously -- and one he hopes the Senate will take seriously, too.

This week, in
https://click.mail.whitehouse.gov/?qs=5c0ffa263604f6fbce1e6fcb3b4f0f46ac03b5f7b00fe32fec72c421c1a9392cd662179d7a1fba8b
a guest post for SCOTUSblog , the President offered some insight into what he's looking for in a Supreme Court nominee. Here's what he had to say:

The Constitution vests in the President the power to appoint judges to the Supreme Court. It\u2019s a duty that I take seriously, and one that I will fulfill in the weeks ahead.

It\u2019s also one of the most important decisions that a President will make. Rulings handed down by the Supreme Court directly affect our economy, our security, our rights, and our daily lives.

Needless to say, this isn\u2019t something I take lightly.It\u2019s a decision to which I devote considerable time, deep reflection, careful deliberation, and serious consultation with legal experts, members of both political parties, and people across the political spectrum.And with thanks to SCOTUSblog for allowing me to guest post today, I thought I\u2019d share some spoiler-free insights into what I think about before appointing the person who will be our next Supreme Court Justice.

First and foremost, the person I appoint will be eminently qualified.He or she will have an independent mind, rigorous intellect, impeccable credentials, and a record of excellence and integrity.I\u2019m looking for a mastery of the law, with an ability to hone in on the key issues before the Court, and provide clear answers to complex legal questions.

Second, the person I appoint will be someone who recognizes the limits of the judiciary\u2019s role; who understands that a judge\u2019s job is to interpret the law, not make the law.I seek judges who approach decisions without any particular ideology or agenda, but rather a commitment to impartial justice, a respect for precedent, and a determination to faithfully apply the law to the facts at hand.

But I\u2019m also mindful that there will be cases that reach the Supreme Court in which the law is not clear.There will be cases in which a judge\u2019s analysis necessarily will be shaped by his or her own perspective, ethics, and judgment.That\u2019s why the third quality I seek in a judge is a keen understanding that justice is not about abstract legal theory, nor some footnote in a dusty casebook.It\u2019s 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\u2019s lives in a big, complicated democracy, and in rapidly changing times.That, I believe, is an essential element for arriving at just decisions and fair outcomes.

A sterling record. A deep respect for the judiciary\u2019s role. An understanding of the way the world really works. That\u2019s what I\u2019m considering as I fulfill my constitutional duty to appoint a judge to our highest court. And as Senators prepare to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to consider the person I appoint, I hope they\u2019ll move quickly to debate and then confirm this nominee so that the Court can continue to serve the American people at full strength.

You can read his blog post
https://click.mail.whitehouse.gov/?qs=5c0ffa263604f6fbce1e6fcb3b4f0f46ac03b5f7b00fe32fec72c421c1a9392cd662179d7a1fba8b
here , and make sure to get the latest updates on the Supreme Court nomination process at
https://click.mail.whitehouse.gov/?qs=03780f14872746911794fdf3e7d3348fe3e2b2713e1935253e0f6b8d2a3da6c6607342c9c51a2f64
wh.gov/scotus .


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