WASHINGTON, March 19 (UPI) -- Republican presidential candidate Gov. John Kasich said in an interview set to air Sunday he would consider keeping Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, if he's elected.
Kasich said he disagreed with Obama's decision to make a nomination to fill the High Court's vacancy because it would only serve to worsen legislative gridlock in Congress, but Kasich praised Garland anyway, noting he was a consensus pick when he went before the Senate to serve on the D.C. Court of Appeals.
"Well, you know, he received you know overwhelming support, I think even from [Sen. Orin Hatch, R-Utah], so of course we'd think about it," Kasich replied. "The way we do it, John, is we look at a person's record. I want a conservative who's not going to make the law but who will interpret the law and somebody of high standing.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has so far refused to schedule confirmation hearings for Garland and many GOP senators have said they will not meet with him, as is customary for Supreme Court nominees.
Katich implied in the CBS interview, a preview of which was posted Saturday, such a position would be a mistake.
"Frankly, they probably ought to sit down with the guy," Kasich said.
The full interview is set to air Sunday on CBS during Face the Nation.
