This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
How ironic to hear Sen. Orrin Hatch saying "something is seriously wrong when a confirmation process for Supreme Court justice resembles an election campaign for political office."
Just last year Hatch and other Republican senators refused to even consider Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's pick, for nothing more than political reasons. Six times since 1900, a nominee has been chosen in an election year. Justice Anthony Kennedy was chosen by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the Senate (controlled by Democrats, I might add) in 1988, with less time than Garland had.
But now Hatch accuses others of doing things he is the master at. Typical "three terms is too long" Hatch.
Gordon Johnston
West Valley City