Hatch: Senate Will ‘Quickly Confirm’ Qualified SCOTUS Nominee (VIDEO)

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
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Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said on Today this morning that if President Obama picks a Supreme Court nominee who’s “clearly qualified,” there’s “no question” the confirmation process can move forward quickly.

If the president picks somebody who is clearly qualified, I think there is no question we can get that person through in a relatively short period of time.

“I don’t see any problem if the person is highly qualified,” Hatch said.

However, “if he picks an activist judge,” Hatch said, “I don’t care whether the activist judge is liberal or conservative, we ought to do everything in our power to defeat that person.”

Hatch declined to comment on the prospects of specific candidates — but did suggest one interesting name: Hillary Clinton.

“I even heard the name Hillary Clinton today, and that would be an interesting person in the mix,” he said.

Hatch said he has “high respect” for Clinton, who’s done “a good job.”

Regardless of the nominee, Hatch said “we ought to have vote, up or down.”

Watch:

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Late Update: A Clinton spokesperson says that she’s not interested in the Supreme Court opening:

Secretary Clinton is working incredibly hard as Secretary of State. She loves her present job and is not looking for another one. She is in a number of bilateral with President Obama today as part of the Nuclear Security Summit, but I’m sure she appreciates Senator Hatch’s kind words.

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