Hillary Clinton appeared to suggest Thursday that she would consider dropping the stalled Supreme Court candidacy of Merrick Garland if she becomes president, leaving open the possibility of a younger and more liberal pick.

The Democratic nominee was asked by journalist Roland Martin during a radio appearance on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show" if she would ask President Barack Obama to withdraw Garland's nomination if she wins in November.

In response to Martin's inquiry, which concluded with a question about whether she would instead pick an African-American woman, Clinton said, "I'm going to let this president serve out his term with distinction and make the decisions that he thinks are right."

Clinton described Senate Republicans' refusal to hold hearings on Garland's nomination – for the stated reason of allowing input from the public this November – as "a disgrace."

But she continued: "If I have the opportunity to make any Supreme Court appointments I'm going to look broadly and widely for people who represent the diversity of our country, who bring some common-sense, real-world experience."

See the moment President Obama nominated Merrick Garland:



8 PHOTOS Obama appoints new Supreme Court justice Merrick Garland See Gallery Obama appoints new Supreme Court justice Merrick Garland FILE PHOTO -- U.S. President Barack Obama annnounces Judge Merrick Garland (R) of the United States Court of Appeals as his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington March 16, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Judge Merrick Garland, President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, meets with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 25, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts Judge Merrick Garland, President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, meets with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) (unseen) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 25, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: U.S. President Barack Obama and Judge Merrick Garland, the president's nominee to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, walk into the Rose Garden at the White House, March 16, 2016 in Washington, DC. Merrick currently serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and if confirmed by the US Senate, would replace Antonin Scalia who died suddenly last month. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: Judge Merrick Garland speaks after being introduced by U.S. President Barack Obama as his nominee to the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden at the White House, March 16, 2016 in Washington, DC. Garland currently serves as the chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and if confirmed by the US Senate, would replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who died suddenly last month. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) U.S. President Barack Obama, left, shakes hands with Merrick Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, following the announcement of his nomination for the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The nomination escalates a battle that will dominate the final 10 months of Obama's presidency, as the White House is locked in an unprecedented dispute with Senate Republican leaders who have pledged to ignore the president's choice. Photographer: Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg via Getty Images U.S. President Barack Obama, center, announces his nominee for the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, right, as Vice President Joseph 'Joe' Biden looks on in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The nomination escalates a battle that will dominate the final 10 months of Obama's presidency, as the White House is locked in an unprecedented dispute with Senate Republican leaders who have pledged to ignore the president's choice. Photographer: Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg via Getty Images US President Barack Obama joins his Supreme Court nominee, federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland (L), during the nomination announcement the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, March 16, 2016. Garland, 63, is currently Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The nomination sets the stage for an election-year showdown with Republicans who have made it clear they have no intention of holding hearings to vet any Supreme Court nominee put forward by the president. / AFP / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

Media outlets interpreted this as a possible hint, with Bloomberg describing the comment as "Clinton's most specific yet on how she would handle the 7-month-old vacancy."

After Justice Antonin Scalia's sudden death in February, Obama selected Garland, 63, as a moderate option who might have a shot at replacing the conservative jurist. Republican senators took a gamble and said they wanted to wait for the results of the next election.

Garland is chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and would become the fourth sitting Jewish justice. He would not add to the court's racial diversity, however, and earned a lukewarm reception from progressives.

Garland "rarely votes in favor of criminal defendants' appeals," SCOTUSBlog co-founder Tom Goldstein wrote in 2010, assessing that he also has "strong views favoring deference to agency decisionmakers" and that in a dozen contentious votes, "he sided with the agency every time."

Among Garland's controversial rulings are his 2013 opinion for a three-judge panel exempting White House visitor logs from mandatory public disclosure and a 1997 opinion for a panel that upheld the legality of a warrantless trunk search based on evidence of personal drug use.

In contrast to Clinton's coyness, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in July offered a list of 11 people he would consider nominating to the Supreme Court if he becomes president.

A Clinton campaign spokeswoman did not immediately respond for a request for clarification on Clinton's stance on renominating Garland.

Related: See Hillary Clinton through the years:



56 PHOTOS Chelsea Clinton through the years See Gallery Chelsea Clinton through the years Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton (L), his daughter Chelsea (C) and wife Hillary arrive in the capital of the state of Arkansas 03 November 1992. The Arkansas governor will remain in Little Rock for the rest of the election day. (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) US President Bill Clinton's wife Hillary Rodham Clinton (l) in a picture taken 16 January 1993 in Little Rock, hugs her daughter Chelsea during a farewell address to the people of Arkansas at an airport rally. The Clinton family then left for Charlottesville, Virginia for the start of the planned bus trip to Washington, DC. (Photo credit should read J. DAVID AKE/AFP/Getty Images) LITTLE ROCK, AR - DECEMBER 24: U.S. President-elect Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea Christmas shop in a local bookstore 24 December 1992. Clinton spent the afternoon shopping after completing the nominations for his cabinet. (Photo credit should read HERB SWANSON/AFP/Getty Images) P 146745 010 01/20/93 Washington Dc Chelsea Clinton At At Bill Clinton's Inauguration (Photo By Porter Gifford/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: Chelsea Clinton, daughter of U.S. President Bill Clinton, concentrates on a ball during soccer practice 28 January 1993 in Washington, DC. (Photo credit should read MIKE MARUCCI/AFP/Getty Images) 205572 01: (NO NEWSWEEK - NO USNEWS) Hillary Rodham Clinton and daughter Chelsea walk near the White House November 28, 1994 in Washington, DC. Mrs. Clinton tried to reform healthcare in the mid-1990s and is the first woman US Senator from New York. (Photo by Dirck Halstead/Liaison) Chelsea Clinton practices her role as the Favorite Aunt in the Washington Ballet's production of the Christmas classic, 'The Nutcracker' at the Warner Theatre in Washington Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1994. The show will open later in December at the Warner Theatre in downtown Washington. US President Bill Clinton (c) in a picture taken 07 December 1994 in Washington, DC., hugs his daughter Chelsea as First Lady looks on after singing Christamas carols on Washington's Elipse during the annual Pageant of Peace (Photo credit should read RENAUD GIROUX/AFP/Getty Images) 6 Aug 1995: Chelsea Clinton, daughter of President Bill Clinton, speaks with spectators during a game between the United States and Norway at RFK Stadium in Washington, D. C. USA won the game, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport UNITED STATES - AUGUST 29: President Bill Clinton, Hillary and Chelsea at Democratic National Convention. (Photo by Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) 291964 13: (NO NEWSWEEK - NO USNEWS) Chelsea Clinton poses at an inaugural ball January 20, 1997 in Washington, DC. Clinton attended various inaugural balls after his defeat of Bob Dole in the national presidential election. (Photo by Cynthia Johnson/Liaison WASHINGTON, : Chelsea Clinton (R), daughter of US President and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, attends the Viennese Opera Ball with some unidentified friends at the National Building Museum 14 March in Washington DC. Vienna Mayor Michael Haeupl and his wife, Helch were the guests of honor at the ball. AFP PHOTO Jamal A. WILSON (Photo credit should read JAMAL A. WILSON/AFP/Getty Images) 01/30/98 - White House - Chelsea, right, and President Clinton leaves the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 30, 1998, to board Marine One and fly to Camp David. - Photo By Larry Morris TWP (Photo by Larry Morris/The Washington Post/Getty Images) US First Lady Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea talk during US President Bill Clinton's address to Beijing University students during his donation of US reference books to the university's library 29 June. Clinton renewed his push from improved human rights in China, telling the students that only true freedom would secure China's place as an economic superpower in the next century. AFP PHOTO/Stephen SHAVER (Photo credit should read STEPHEN SHAVER/AFP/Getty Images) Chelsea Clinton Walks In The Chinatown District Of Washington, With Her Father President Clinton And Mother Hillary Following Close Behind December 27,1998 . The Clintons Ate Lunch At The Golden Palace Resturaunt And Then Walked To Get A Coffee At Starbucks Coffee Shop. (Photo By Mark Wilson/Getty Images) US First Lady Hillary Clinton (L) looks on with daughter Chelsea as they arrive 30 December in Hilton Head, SC. US President Bill Clinton is also with Hillary and Chelsea to attend the annual Renaissance Weekend family retreat. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Joyce NALTCHAYAN (Photo credit should read JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images) Hillary Rodham Clinton and daughter Chelsea prepare to board the Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House Thursday, August 19, 1999. Clinton, who is celebrating his fifty-third birthday Thursday, and his family are traveling to Martha's Vineyard for a vacation. (Photo by John Edwards) WASHINGTON, : Chelsea Clinton looks on with an unidentified friend (L) from Stanford University 31 December 1999 at America's Millennium Opening Ceremony in Washington, DC. US President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary delivered remarks at the ceremony. AFP PHOTO/Joyce NALTCHAYAN (Photo credit should read JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images) WASHINGTON - JANUARY 1: (NO U.S. TABLOID SALES) First Lady Hillary Clinton celebrates at the Lincoln Memorial with husband U.S. President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea January 1, 2000 in Washington, DC. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images) UNITED STATES - CIRCA 2000: Chelsea Clinton smiles at Studio 54, where she co-hosted a one-night-only concert reuniting the original cast of 'Rent.' The show benefitted the New York Theater Workshop. (Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) 379846 04: Chelsea Clinton, left, walks with her mother, U.S. Senate candidate and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Hispanic Day Parade October 8, 2000 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Newsmakers) CHAPPAQUA, UNITED STATES: Chelsea Clinton exits the voting booth after casting her vote at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, New York 07 November 2000. The Clinton family voted together and they will hold a rally in downtown New York City later 07 November to celebrate the US Senate candidacy of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. AFP PHOTO/Stephen JAFFE (Photo credit should read STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP/Getty Images) UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 18: Chelsea Clinton, Charity Gala For New York At The Old Vic Theatre And After Party At The Ivy Restaurant In London (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images) Chelsea Clinton during Glamour Magazine and Bebe Spring Bash Benefit at SPA at SPA in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic) Chelsea Clinton (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage) Ian Klaus, Chelsea Clinton during 20th Century Fox Premiere of 'The Day After Tomorrow' at Museum of Natural History in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic) Chelsea Clinton during School of American Ballet Hosts An Enchanted Evening at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage) NEW YORK - DECEMBER 07: Chelsea Clinton greets her mother U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) as they attend the Hetrick-Martin Institute's 2005 Emery Awards at Cipriani Wall Street December 7, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images) Chelsea Clinton and Kathryn Morgan, awardee (Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage) Democratic presidential hopeful and New York Senator Hillary Clinton (R) campaigns with daughter Chelsea Clinton (L) 31 December 2007 in advance of the 03 January Iowa Caucus at Fort Madison High School in Fort Madison, Iowa. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - JANUARY 02: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and her daughter Chelsea Clinton are introduced during a campaign event at Kirkwood Community College January 2, 2008 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With the Iowa caucuses one day away the race has tightened in both Iowa and New Hampshire. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Chelsea Clinton meets supporters of her mother, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, at Broken Ground Elementary School in Concord, New Hampshire, January 8, 2008. (Photo by Christopher Kezer/MCT/MCT via Getty Images) January 31, 2008--Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, speaks during a question and answer session at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The Denver Post, Glenn Asakawa (Photo By Glenn Asakawa/The Denver Post via Getty Images) NBC NEWS -- Hillary Clinton Campaign -- Pictured: Chelsea Clinton attends Senator Hillary Clinton's 'Conversations with Families' speech during Hillary's campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination at Haverford College in Haverford, PA on April 17, 2008 -- Photo by: Christina Jamison/NBC NewsWire LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JUNE 24: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) and his daughter Chelsea arrive for the BILD OSGAR Award at Neues Rathaus on June 24, 2008 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) US Senator Hillary Clinton's daughter Chelsea is seen during a soundcheck at the Democratic National Convention 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, on August 26, 2008. Clinton takes the stage tonight vowing to unite Democrats after her primary battle with Barack Obama, on the second day of the convention that will crown him as White House nominee. The DNC is held 25-28 August. AFP PHOTO Paul J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images) RHINEBECK, NY - JULY 31: In this handout image provided by Barbara Kinney, Marc Mezvinsky (L) and Chelsea Clinton pose during their wedding at the Astor Courts Estate on July 31, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York. Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, married Marc Mezvinsky today in an interfaith ceremony at the estate built by John Jacob Astor on the Hudson River about two hours north of New York City. (Photo by Barbara Kinney via FilmMagic) Chelsea Clinton poses backstage at the Glamour Magazine 2010 Women of the Year Gala at Carnegie Hall on November 8, 2010 in New York City. LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 17: Chelsea Clinton Mezvinsky attends the Millennium Network Event hosted by former President Bill Clinton at Boulevard 3 on March 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John M. Heller/Getty Images) NEW YORK CITY- SEPTEMBER 22: Hillary Rodham Clinton (L), Secretary of State stands with her daughter Chelsea Clinton during the closing Plenary session of the seventh Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) at the Sheraton New York Hotel on September 22, 2011 in New York City. Established in 2005 by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the CGI assembles global leaders to develop and implement solutions to some of the world's most urgent problems. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: Chelsea Clinton speaks on stage after receiving the History Makers Award at the 2012 Strawberry Festival at the New-York Historical Society on May 8, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: (L-R) Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton arrive at 'A Night Out With The Millennium Network,' at the Old Vic Tunnels, presented by The Clinton Foundation and The Reuben Foundation. The evening, hosted by Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Gwyneth Paltrow and Will i Am took place on the 22nd May 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images for Clinton Foundation Fundraiser) NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky attends The Museum of Modern Art 5th annual Film Benefit honoring Quentin Tarantino at MOMA on December 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage) NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Honorary chairperson for the Dance Theatre Of Harlem Chelsea Clinton speaks during the Dance Theatre Of Harlem's 44th Anniversary Celebration at Mandarin Oriental Hotel on February 26, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by J. Countess/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Chelsea Clinton attends the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) LITTLE ROCK, AR - JULY 08: Chelsea Clinton speaks at the Oscar de la Renta: American Icon reception at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center on July 08, 2013 in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 07: Former US President and founder of the Clinton Foundation Bill Clinton appears onstage with daughter Chelsea Clinton during the 'Embrace Tomorrow - A Conversation Without Borders' program hosted in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela Foundation at the Pretoria Parade Grounds on August 7, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. The Clintons are traveling through Africa to address health issues including HIV testing, decontamination of drinking water and education on Malaria. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) Chelsea Clinton attends the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) September 24, 2013 in New York. AFP PHOTO/Mehdi Taamallah (Photo credit should read MEHDI TAAMALLAH/AFP/Getty Images) THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 0024 -- Pictured: (l-r) Chelsea Clinton during an interview with host Jimmy Fallon on March 20, 2014 -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC).. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: Executive producer of the film 'Of Many' Chelsea Clinton attends the 'Of Many' after party during the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival at High Line on April 17, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 21: Chelsea Clinton takes the stage during the 8th Annual Clinton Global Citizen Awards at Sheraton Times Square on September 21, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 10: Chelsea Clinton (L) and Marc Mezvinsky attend the Glamour 2014 Women Of The Year Awards at Carnegie Hall on November 10, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Glamour) LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 23: Chelsea Clinton appears at an announcement by ServiceNation to launch 'Serve A Year' at Jimmy Kimmel Live! studios on March 23, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Chelsea Clinton speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative' closing session on September 29, 2015 in New York City. The Clinton Global Initiative, happening simultaneously with the United Nation's General Assembly, invites leaders from politics, business and culture to discuss world issues. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Chelsea Clinton, Usher, Ray Lewis visits CBS This Morning with Co-hosts Charlie Rose, Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015. (Photo by Heather Wines/CBS via Getty Images) CORAL GABLES, FL - OCTOBER 22: Chelsea Clinton signs copies of her book 'ITS YOUR WORLD' at Books and Books on October 22, 2015 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/FilmMagic) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

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