|
 Obama conducted interviews with local television anchors where he
argued that Republican senators should hold confirmation hearings
and vote on his nomination of appellate Judge Merrick Garland to the
top court.
"What my argument is: Let the American people see Judge Garland, let
him answer questions, let them hear his responses," the Democratic
president told WDAF-TV FOX 4 in Kansas City, Missouri, a market that
straddles states where Senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and Jerry
Moran of Kansas are up for re-election.
Republican leaders have been resolute that Obama's successor, who
will be elected on Nov. 8 and take office on Jan. 20, should fill
the vacancy left by February's death of conservative Justice Antonin
Scalia. Republicans are hoping their party's candidate wins the
presidency and can make the appointment.
 The court is now split 4-4 between conservatives and liberals,
meaning Scalia's successor could influence its ideological direction
for years to come.
Obama has argued the Senate has a responsibility to formally
consider Garland's nomination, telling ABC affiliate WMUR in
Manchester, New Hampshire, that the judge was "maybe the most
qualified nominee that we’ve seen before the Senate for a Supreme
Court seat."
New Hampshire's Kelly Ayotte is viewed as one of the most vulnerable
Senate Republican incumbents. She met with Garland but wants the
Senate to wait until after the election to act on the nomination.
"I know that folks like Senator Ayotte met with him and the fact
that they're not calling a hearing or vote means they're not doing
their job," Obama said in the interview.
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In a separate interview with WMUR, Ayotte defended her position.
"In my view waiting for the election, we are in the midst of a
presidential nomination process, to have the people weigh in the
election in November is important considering we have a 4-4 court,"
she said.
Obama also talked with a television anchor from Iowa, home to Senate
Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who has helped lead
efforts to block Garland.
The president spoke as well with anchors from Ohio, where Senator
Rob Portman faces a competitive re-election race; Wisconsin, where
Senator Ron Johnson is running again; and Phoenix, home to Senator
John McCain of Arizona.
(Additional reporting by Mohammad Zargham, Eric Walsh, David
Alexander and Tim Ahmann; Editing by Peter Cooney,)
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