North Texas Daily

Morgan Sullivan

@sadsquadch

Present at the site of the Oklahoma City bombing two days after it took place, it should surprise no one the event has significantly impacted the life and career of Merrick Garland.

With the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, lawmakers have been in a frenzy over the possibility of President Obama’s nomination being confirmed as Supreme Court justice — even one as moderate as Garland.

If the Senate chooses to accept the president’s nomination, it could be due to his reputation for doing things ethically and in a bipartisan manner previously in his career. Although he is a registered Democrat, his values and commitment to reason could sway Republicans in the vote for his approval, should they decide to ever hold a hearing for such.

Government officials are not immune to getting swept up in emotions when tragedy strikes. Just days after the bombing, when bodies were still being recovered, Garland was on site examining evidence and preparing to work with the prosecution.

However, according to his associates at the U.S. Justice Department, Garland insisted on doing things by the book, even when companies were willing to simply hand over evidence. He insisted on getting subpoenas, and made sure a prosecutor was assigned to keeping victims’ families up-to-date. This is not always the case, so for doubtful Republicans, Garland’s sense of morals could be the glimmer of hope they need — even if they don’t realize it yet. Even when he was at the core of a traumatic, stressful event, he didn’t allow his emotions to change the way he gathered a case. When given the chance of a shortcut, he picked the long road.

Throughout his career, Garland has worked across party lines, and is backed by many Republicans. In federal cases, the judge actually tends to be more critical of criminals than his liberal counterparts. This allows him to fit in better than another candidate might, as he achieves more of a centrist perspective.

Although this may not necessarily reflect how Garland will preside on-bench, it suggests he might will not be beholden to groupthink or partisan pettiness. At his core, Garland is a shining government employee with a commitment to both reason and justice.

Garland is as moderate as those on the right could ever hope to gain from President Obama, and while their hesitance is not particularly surprising, it is unfounded. Should Hillary Clinton become the next commander-in-chief, Republicans will pine for the days Garland was the potential nominee.

In the end, politics are politics, and there will always be a hard line standing between the two parties. However, a nominee like Garland is hard to pass up, and anyone who is willing to go the extra mile and work with both parties is deserving of a chance.

Featured Image: Courtesy | Bing