A.G. Gancarski
Most of the GOP presidential candidates didn’t know Justice Antonin Scalia personally, and so it’s perhaps logical that some of their thoughts would turn to the political ramifications.
Consider retired physician Ben Carson, who had the hottest take:
“It is imperative that the Senate not allow President Obama to diminish his legacy by trying to nominate an individual who would carry on his wishes to subvert the will of the People. Given the dire condition our democracy currently finds itself under Obama’s ideological agenda, I call on the Senate to stop any attempts to fill this crucial seat until We The People elect a strong Constitutionalist this November.”
More measured by far was former Gov. Jeb Bush, who said:
“Justice Scalia was a brilliant defender of the rule of law – his logic and wit were unparalleled, and his decisions were models of clarity and good sense. I often said he was my favorite justice, because he took the Constitution, and the responsibility of judges to interpret it correctly, with the utmost seriousness. Now it is up to all of us to fight for the principles Justice Scalia espoused and carry forth his legacy.”
Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, likewise, focused on the passing of the man, not the politics:
“His death is a serious loss to our nation and the Court. He was an essential, principled force for conservative thought and is a model for others to follow. His dedication to the Constitution and love for and service to our country will be deeply missed.”
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, clearly indicated that the choice of the replacement for Scalia will not be Barack Obama‘s, writing that “the next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia’s unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear.”
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was the most specific in his reaction:
“As liberals and conservatives alike would agree, through his powerful and persuasive opinions, Justice Scalia fundamentally changed how courts interpret the Constitution and statutes, returning the focus to the original meaning of the text after decades of judicial activism. And he authored some of the most important decisions ever, including District of Columbia v. Heller, which recognized our fundamental right under the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms. He was an unrelenting defender of religious liberty, free speech, federalism, the constitutional separation of powers, and private property rights. All liberty-loving Americans should be in mourning.”
Entrepreneur Donald Trump spoke to his legacy also:
“Justice Scalia was a remarkable person and a brilliant Supreme Court Justice, one of the best of all time. His career was defined by his reverence for the Constitution and his legacy of protecting Americans’ most cherished freedoms. He was a Justice who did not believe in legislating from the bench and he is a person whom I held in the highest regard and will always greatly respect his intelligence and conviction to uphold the Constitution of our country.”
With a debate on Saturday night, Scalia and his legacy will cast a large shadow, and perhaps lend gravitas to the GOP debate.
