In an interview he gave on Wednesday to Lester Holt, NBC News, the president made these comments.
Holt was told by the president that he believes that any candidate I believe will win a vote from Republican side. I am looking for someone who can replace Judge Breyer in the same capacity that Judge Breyer did, and with the same open mind who understands and interprets the Constitution in a manner consistent with the mainstream interpretation.
Breyer announced that he was retiring from court at the end last month. Mr. Biden has promised to replace him by a Black woman. Biden stated that he is doing a “deep diving” on the four candidates.
Holt was told by the president that he had taken four people to do a deep dive, which is a thorough background check.
This would be less than the more dozen possible candidates that the president was considering at the end last month.
Thursday afternoon, Senator Biden met with Democrats from the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss the Supreme Court situation. Dick Durbin, a top Democrat on the committee, stated that their goal was to gain bipartisan support for the nominee. Durbin didn’t have any additional details on the timeline or names that would be announced.
Supreme Court searches highlight the need for education diversity on the bench
Democrats can choose a Supreme Court justice by a simple majority.