(CNN) — President Barack Obama vowed on Tuesday to name an “indisputably” qualified Supreme Court nominee and lashed out at Republicans who he said demand a strict interpretation of the Constitution — except regarding his right to propose a new Justice.
The President staked out a tough position after Republicans warned he would not get a vote on his eventual nominee to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. The GOP is arguing that filling the seat on the nation’s highest bench should be left to the next president.
“The Constitution is pretty clear about what is supposed to happen now,” Obama said during his first press conference since Scalia’s passing at the weekend.
Obama said he would propose “somebody who is indisputably qualified” for the seat. In a swipe at Republicans like presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, Obama said he was amused to hear people who describe themselves as “strict interpreters” of the Constitution dispute the idea that he has the right to get a hearing for a Supreme Court nominee.
“This is the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land,” Obama said. “It’s the one court where we would expect elected officials to rise above day-to-day politics. This will be the opportunity for Senators to do their job.
“Your job doesn’t stop until you are voted out or until your term expires,” Obama said.
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