The Washington Post reports that some Republicans are gearing up for a fight over President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee to replace justice John Paul Stevens. No big surprise there. Republicans want a candidate that’s “mainstream.”
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) didn’t rule out a filibuster if the president chooses someone from “the fringe instead of the middle” or someone who would “apply their feelings” instead of the law. Asked if he would support a filibuster of any of the potential nominees said to be on Obama’s shortlist, Alexander said on “Fox News Sunday” that he is “not about to start picking nominees I would reject before the president even makes one.” He said he believes that qualified nominees should receive an up-or-down vote, pointing to his vote to confirm Obama’s first choice for the high court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor.