By Julia Beach, March 27, 2016
President Obama has proved once again that he is a man of his word, and a leader who upholds the Constitution and fulfill his duties while still in office.
I’m referring to his recent conference phone speech to his “Stakeholders” about his U.S. Supreme Court nomination of Chief Judge Merrick Garland to replace the late Antonin Scalia. The WORD was provided a transcript of his comments from the White House Press Secretary.
The President’s decision comes after another round of partisan backlash in the Republican controlled U.S. Senate, which, along with the House, has done their best to interdict many of the Presidents plans during his time in office. It is this journalist’s opinion that President Obama has done an incredible job in office, and as time progresses, he will be remembered positively in history for the landmark social welfare decisions that occurred during his terms, like The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), AKA the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or, Obamacare, and the legalizing of gay marriage.
This doesn’t mean that I’m ignoring that he did not follow through on many promises that he made after he was elected on his campaign of change, perhaps even, in spite of this, as he faced an unprecedented amount of resistance from the judicial and legislative branches. His resilience despite the forces arrayed against him and his willingness to try to find an amicably way to work with Congress are a testament to his strength and humility as Commander-in-Chief as he continues to push his agenda and utilize his executive powers.
As he said in his conversation with his Stakeholders, who weren’t identified, according to the transcript of his comments sent to the WORD, “The Constitution is clear that it’s my job as President to nominate candidates to the Supreme Court. It’s the Senate’s job to give them a timely hearing,”
President Obama also called attention to the Senate’s unprofessional behavior. “Senators that are trying to obstruct the process need to be told that we expect the Supreme Court to be above partisan politics, and that the Court should be operating at full capacity to help the American people,” he said.
As the President made clear, just because this is an election year doesn’t mean that his job has ended. It is absolutely unconstitutional for the Senate to delay judge Garland’s appointment to the Supreme Court, especially considering positive responses he’s curried from both sides of the bench during his career. It is clear that Garland is an admirable choice for the seat, and should face no opposition from either party in his appointment.
Now that his term is ending, President Obama no longer needs to stay in good favor with Congress or the Senate, something that prevented him from using his executive power to the fullest in the past. In the past months, the world watched as Obama exhibited increasing strength as the fearless leader this country needs. He boldly took a stand on gun control, making a rousing speech in the wake of the San Bernardino shootings, shedding a tear as he called for more thorough background checks and sale restrictions.
He has made no effort to hide his political agenda, which is a refreshingly liberal and compassionate take on American politics and its cultural climate. And now he is trying his best to do his job until it is no longer his. Americans deserve a President who never stops working to accomplish our collective goals, and I believe Obama has done that. To me, that is the trademark of a truly great President.
Julia Beach can be reached at Juliabeach94@gmail.com.