Sharper Point: President Obama nominates Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court

President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland as his Supreme Court choice to fill the vacancy of the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Garland’s nomination will likely trigger a showdown with Senate Republicans who have told the White House not to fill the vacancy during an election year.

Garland, 63, had been considered for previous Supreme Court vacancies. He is chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

“This is the greatest honor of my life …,” Garland said.

Garland led the investigation and oversaw the prosecution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

“This is not a responsibility I take lightly — it’s a decision that requires me to set aside short-term expediency or narrow politics,” Obama said.

The president also said that Garland had earned bipartisan respect and support.

Me, I think they shouldn’t be so quick to judge.

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