Only 23 percent of Americans say Biden should just consider Black female SCOTUS candidates, new poll finds
According to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll, 76 percent of Americans say President Biden should consider "all possible nominees" to fill retiring Justice Stephen Breyer's seat on the Supreme Court. Only 23 percent say Biden should consider only Black female candidates, as he pledged to do during the campaign, ABC News reported.
The poll surveyed 510 adults and has a margin of error of 4.9 percent.
Despite Americans' discomfort with Biden's decision, his administration is sticking to it. White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement Saturday that Biden's pledge to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court reflects "the best traditions of both parties and our nation," The Washington Post reported.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He pointed out that two Republican presidents, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, pledged to fill open SCOTUS seats with female justices and both followed through, appointing Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Amy Coney Barrett.
Bates was responding to comments Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) made Friday. According to CNN, Wicker said it was ironic to use "affirmative racial discrimination" to put a Black woman on the Supreme Court while the court is considering reversing its position on affirmative action policies.
The Supreme Court agreed on Jan. 24 to hear a pair of challenges to race-based college admissions policies. Arguments in the cases will likely be heard in the session beginning next October, with a decision expected by June 2023.
Wicker also said whoever Biden nominates would be the "beneficiary" of a racial "quota."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published