A small group of Senate Republicans is breaking with its party's Supreme Court strategy, with lawmakers saying they're willing to meet with President Obama's pick to succeed Justice Antonin Scalia.

Seven Republicans so far have said they are open to considering or meeting with Merrick Garland, the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia who was nominated for the Supreme Court earlier Wednesday by Obama.

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Whether to meet with Garland is also splitting vulnerable Republicans who are at the center of the battle for control of the Senate.

Ayotte told Politico she would meet with the nominee out of "courtesy" and to explain why she thinks the seat should remain vacant until next year.





Kirk previously told The Hill he would meet with whomever Obama picked, and added Wednesday, "I will assess Judge Merrick Garland based on his record and qualifications."

Cornyn was asked if he's worried about GOP strategy "getting away from" leadership, with some Republicans already saying they'll meet with Garland. "This person will not be confirmed, so there's no reason going through some motions and pretending like it will happen, because it's not going to happen," he said. When asked if the administration could do anything to make McConnell change his mind, Cornyn said, "No. We've made a decision, and now I think we have to continue to explain to people the principle involved is not about the personality."

Democrats, however, are hoping to target vulnerable incumbents, as well as centrist senators, as they try to force Republicans to cave on their current strategy of blocking Obama's nominee from getting a hearing or a vote.

Democrats quickly pounced on Portman and Ayotte's statements, suggesting voters shouldn't believe "their blatant political spin." “Sen. Ayotte is still choosing unprecedented constitutional obstruction over the interests of Granite Staters, and voters will turn out in November to elect a senator who will actually do their job," said Lauren Passalacqua, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's national press secretary.

While seven current Republican senators previously voted to confirm Garland to his current position, that could still be an uphill battle.