Chris Kenning

Louisville Courier Journal

Calling it a failure to perform a constitutional duty, leaders of the Kentucky NAACP and other civil rights groups slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday for vowing to block any hearings on a nominee to fill the vacancy left on the Supreme Court in President Obama's final year in office.

Raoul Cunningham, President of the Kentucky State Conference of the NAACP, announced at a news conference Thursday that a letter signed by 11 groups including the Kentucky Council of Churches, National Council of Jewish Women and the Fairness Campaign urged McConnell to "do your job" and hold nomination hearings.

"To us, this is totally unacceptable," Cunningham said.

The issue is important for civil rights groups because redistricting and voting rights issues could come before the court and "need a full Supreme Court," he said.

McConnell gets heat, support for Supreme Court stance

The unexpected death of conservative Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia became a big political issue after McConnell argued that Obama shouldn't be allowed to name a replacement who could shift the ideological balance of the court. McConnell has argued that voters should decide the direction of the court when they cast ballots for president in November.

“The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next justice. Therefore, the Senate should not consider any nominee until after the election, so the people can have a say on the direction of the Court," McConnell said Thursday in a statement.

Louisville Metro Councilman David Tandy, who said he spoke Thursday on behalf of local black elected officials, said he urged McConnell not to "hold the country hostage" by blocking the vacancy created by Scalia's death.

"Before Justice Scalia's body was cold, he's playing politics with this decision - and that's not what's called upon by the leaders of our government," he said. "The people want you to govern. And that's where you see the frustration all across the country. They're sick and tired of government not working for them, not doing what we are called upon to do."

Young McConnell: High court is president's role

Jaison Gardner, representing the Fairness Campaign and Stand up Louisville, said McConnell's obstructionism amounted to "unconstitutional actions. On average, it takes less than three months for a Supreme Court justice to get nominated and confirmed. There is no reason to delay this process now other than blatant partisan politics."

Cunningham said his group would continue to push for the process to continue through lobbying and voter education, but acknowledged that it could be a difficult fight.

McConnell foes call for Supreme Court vote

Reporter Chris Kenning can be reached at 502-582-4697 or ckenning@courier-journal.com