Colorado Republican: Don't Try To Block Obama On Court Appointment

DENVER (AP) — Colorado state Sen. Bill Cadman, the top-ranking legislative Republican, said Tuesday the U.S. Senate should not try to stop President Barack Obama from nominating a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

House Speaker Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, the top-ranking Democrat, agreed but said that's her personal opinion and it would be a waste of time for state lawmakers to weigh in on the matter.

Senate president Cadman told reporters that he disagrees with Republicans who have said Obama should allow the next president to nominate a jurist for the top court.

"Both sides have a job to do, so I think the political posturing right now is somewhat unfortunate," Cadman said. "This is actually a time where the Republican Senate could have an influence on the Democratic presidential nominee, and let the process work."

Hullinghorst, the House speaker, shook her head when asked if she'd support a resolution urging Republicans in Congress to vote on a Supreme Court nominee. She said such resolutions are like "letters to Santa Claus."

Scalia was found dead over the weekend at 79. He joined the court in 1986 and was its longest-serving justice.

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has said Obama should allow his successor to fill the vacancy.

Democrats counter that Obama is president until Jan. 20, 2017, and has every constitutional right to nominate Scalia's replacement.

Obama has said he will nominate a replacement in due time.

By JAMES ANDERSON and KRISTEN WYATT, Associated Press

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