Nominee Garland smiles, stays quiet while in public view
Posted April 06, 2016 7:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) - Merrick Garland was eloquent and emotional last month when he stood in the Rose Garden with President Barack Obama and recounted his path toward becoming a Supreme Court nominee.
These days, the appeals court judge is saying little while in public view, smiling stiffly and uttering pleasantries for the crush of cameras before meetings on Capitol Hill.
It's a thankless routine every high court nominee must endure. But for Garland, it may just be a matter of going through the motions.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said there'll be no hearings or votes on Garland's nomination, insisting that voters in November should have a say before the vacancy is filled.
Garland's making the rounds anyway, visiting Democrats and a few Republican senators who have agreed to meet with him.
Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill. finishes a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 6, 2016, after his meeting with Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obamaâs choice to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. Durbin, the number two ranking Democrat in the Senate and a member of the Judiciary Committee, expressed dismay at the intransigence of Republican senators, especially Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who are refusing to hold hearings or a confirmation vote on the Garland nomination during the waning months of Obamaâs presidency. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press
Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., left, which considers judicial nominations, joins Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., center, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., at a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 6, 2016, to discuss the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obamaâs choice to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press
Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obamaâs choice to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, meets with Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill., a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which considers nominations to the high court, Wednesday, April 6, 2016, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press
Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 6, 2016, after his meeting with Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obamaâs choice to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Durbin, the number two ranking Democrat in the Senate and a member of the Judiciary Committee, expressed dismay at the intransigence of Republican senators, especially Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who are refusing to hold hearings or a confirmation vote on the Garland nomination during the waning months of Obamaâs presidency. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press
Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington,Wednesday, April 6, 2016, after his meeting with Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obamaâs choice to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. Durbin, the number two ranking Democrat in the Senate and a member of the Judiciary Committee, expressed dismay at the intransigence of Republican senators, especially Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who are refusing to hold hearings or a confirmation vote on the Garland nomination during the waning months of Obamaâs presidency. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press
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