Graham meets Obama’s Supreme Court nominee

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina met briefly Wednesday with Supreme Court hopeful Merrick Garland.

It was the latest of several meetings between Garland and Republican senators – all of whom have refused to budge on advancing his nomination.

Graham, a Seneca Republican, has stood with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and virtually all other Republicans, who control the Senate, in opposing a hearing or vote on Garland’s nomination before the November presidential election.

Graham said his stance remained unchanged after the 15-minute meeting with Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

“My view is that the next president should decide,” Graham said after the closed-door meeting. “And it’s nothing against him personally. I think he’s a very capable, honest judge.”

The courtesy meeting marked an important opportunity for Garland and the Obama Administration, given Graham’s position as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, which considers Supreme Court nominations. Political observers note Republican Graham has been willing to work with Democrats on some issues.

Graham’s office was tight-lipped about the meeting, and there was no photo opportunity. Garland left after the session, and Graham emerged alone several minutes later.

The Obama Administration remains hopeful that continued meetings between senators and the nominee will prompt a shift in position.

Garland has met with more than 25 Senate Democrats. And he has met with at least 10 Republican lawmakers, none of whom have reversed positions on moving his nomination.

Graham is no exception.

“I don’t think a Republican would pick Judge Garland, but that doesn’t mean he’s not qualified to serve,” Graham said. “If a Democrat wins in November, and they pick somebody like Judge Garland, it would probably be a good pick, but, historically, we don’t fill the vacancies this close to an election.”

The U.S. Constitution says the Senate shall advise and consent on White House nominations, but it sets no timetable.

Previously, Graham had declined to meet with Garland. The senator decided to sit down with the nominee to clarify his position and to tell him it wasn’t personal. The men discussed some of Garland’s cases, Graham said, adding he approved of the nominee’s stands on national security issues.

Under similar political circumstances, Graham said he told Garland, “I wouldn’t vote for me to fill this vacancy, and there’s nobody I like more than me, so it’s not personal.”

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 6:33 PM with the headline "Graham meets Obama’s Supreme Court nominee."