Letters: Remembering Senate’s unanimous confirmation of Scalia

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Regarding Sen. Mark Kirk’s opinion piece in the Sun-Times (“Scalia replacement must ‘bridge differences.’” — Feb. 22), Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the appointment of President Reagan’s appointee, Antonin Scalia, on September 17, 1986. Justice Scalia passed all the tests and was an unapologetic conservative, which he did not attempt to hide throughout the appointment process. The American people expect the same today with President Obama’s appointment, no more, no less.

In Kirk’s comments he wrote: “A partisan or extreme nominee would not be prudent.”

The constitution clearly states the President appoints and Congress consents. The constitution in no way whatsoever proclaims any of this process to be politically partisan in nature. As such, it is not relevant if the President chooses a liberal, moderate or conservative nominee. And the Republican majority in Congress (at this time) has no business deciding whether or not to approve an appointment by the president to the Supreme Court based on the appointee’s political views. The entire process has nothing to do with this issue. The constitution calls for Congress to approve a nominee based upon qualifications, not the political party affiliation or political beliefs of the nominee. Otherwise, Scalia would never have been unanimously approved by Congress. Now there is an actual (and generational) precedent for Congress to follow.

Mark Ryan, Orland Hills

Love of party or country?

In the latest GOP debate Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and John Kasich spent two hours adamantly telling America that Donald Trump is a fraud and a con man whose inexperience and temperament make him completely unsuitable to be president. Then they all said they’d support him if he became the Republican nominee. So either they were lying in their characterization of Trump, or they are willing to put their party ahead of their country. Which is it?

Daniel Welch, Glen Ellyn

Liking the new Page 2

“Take 2.” Great idea! If you’re going to put columnists before news stories, this is the way to do it. The Sun-Times is loaded with talented columnists and Mark Brown is one of the best. The thing about Brown is, you can always believe what he writes even if you don’t happen to agree with him. He doesn’t gossip. He doesn’t deal in hearsay. I always get the sense that I’m in competent hands when I begin reading a Brown column. Kudos!

Tony Galati, Lemont