HAPPENING NOW: Breyer in the White House
Biden a little emotional going over Breyer's long career, mentions that he is famous for biking across Washington
Biden mentions that he served as chair of the Judiciary Committee when Breyer was being confirmed for SCOTUS in 1994
Breyer is wearing a KN-95 mask, by the way.
Breyer is a "beacon of wisdom on our constitution" and believes "the law exists to help the people".
On Breyer's successor: "our process is going to be rigorous". Will pick someone with "extraordinary qualifications and integrity", and a black woman. "Long overdue."
Biden says he'll solicit advice from the Senate on potential nominees, as the Constitution says, not just its consent.
Biden says he'll pick someone by the end of February.
Breyer now speaks: "thank you, Mr President", that's "terribly nice".
Breyer says he loves talking to students. What gives you a thrill, they ask? Americans have chosen to address "their major differences" through the law.
He pulls out his pocket constitution.
He pulls out his pocket constitution.
"It's an experiment." Mentions that his wife offered their grandkids money to memorize the Gettysburg Address.
(He is speaking off the cuff - no surprise there.)
Breyer invoking Washington and Lincoln. America "is an experiment that's still going on". And it's up to the next generation to "determine whether the experiment still works. I'm an optimist, and I'm pretty sure it will."
He ends.
He ends.
Now Biden offers up the Lincoln Bedroom for Breyer to come and stay.
Ends the brief affair, takes no questions.
That's it.
Ends the brief affair, takes no questions.
That's it.
For all his flaws, Justice Breyer is a kind, menschy, brilliant man with high ideals, a true commitment to the rule of law, and irrepressible optimism, and boy, I'm going to miss him on the Court.
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