Mitch McConnell Stresses Neil Gorsuch Confirmation Will Follow ‘Ginsburg Standard’

Judge Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee is underway, and his performance is receiving rave reviews. While it should come as no surprise that conservatives have praised Gorsuch’s handling of questions from different senators, even liberals have been forced to admit that he has had a stellar hearing so far.

Former NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams admitted that “it’s tough to lay a glove on this guy” and MSNBC’s top legal analyst Ari Melber conceded that Gorsuch “didn’t see a single glove laid on him” by Democrats, noting that “He performed himself admirably, calmly.”

Despite Gorsuch’s strong performance, top Democrats, specifically Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, refuse to support President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. Schumer went so far as to say the Senate shouldn’t vote for Gorsuch while the FBI investigates President Trump.

While Democrats continue to wring their hands over Gorsuch’s nomination, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent a strong signal that Gorsuch will follow the “Ginsburg standard” during his confirmation hearing, by refusing to explain how he would rule on specific cases or topics presented before the Supreme Court.

From The Washington Examiner:

The Kentucky Republican said Gorsuch would follow the principle of “judicial independence” and not engage in “detailed discussions” during the confirmation process because they are “not proper” and might require him to recuse himself in certain cases that come before the court.

“It’s not realistic or fair to expect a judicial nominee to state under oath how she or he might rule as a judge,” McConnell said. “That’s why Justice Ginsburg did not give any preview.”

Just an hour before, the Senate GOP leadership circulated a release titled “The Ginsburg Standard — ‘No hints, no forecasts, no previews and no hypotheticals.'”

Democrats tried to force Gorsuch to discuss his personal views on a myriad of issues, such as abortion, but the judge refused to express his opinion, saying that his job as a judge is to separate his personal or political views from the law.

From CNN:

As senators tried to dig and prod to get his political views on the record, Gorsuch continuously dodged, citing a need to remain objective. “A good judge doesn’t give a wit about politics or the political implications of his or her decision,” he said.

Gorsuch’s refusal to comment on how he would rule on future cases shows what kind of Supreme Court justice he will be. Although Democrats wanted confirmation that Gorsuch would rule a certain way on different hot button political issues, he would not acquiesce to their demands.

Do you agree with Senator McConnell that Gorsuch should not comment on how he may rule on potential cases during his hearing? Share your thoughts below! 

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