• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

After hitting oil tankers, Iran targets Navy warships and U.S. retaliates with 'higher economic cost' in new escalation that could transform the war

2

Widow of airman killed in Mideast was told hazard pay and combat-related tax breaks wouldn't apply because 'we were not at war.' A viral post fixed it

3

Despite being a multimillionaire, Suze Orman still cooks at home whenever possible—and says eating out is one of the biggest wastes of money

1

After hitting oil tankers, Iran targets Navy warships and U.S. retaliates with 'higher economic cost' in new escalation that could transform the war

2

Widow of airman killed in Mideast was told hazard pay and combat-related tax breaks wouldn't apply because 'we were not at war.' A viral post fixed it

3

Despite being a multimillionaire, Suze Orman still cooks at home whenever possible—and says eating out is one of the biggest wastes of money
LeadershipSupreme Court

Majority of Americans Support Obama’s Supreme Court Nomination

By
Michal Addady
Michal Addady
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Michal Addady
Michal Addady
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 23, 2016, 5:12 PM ET
President Obama Announces Merrick Garland As His Nominee To The Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) stands with Judge Merrick B. Garland, while nominating him to the US Supreme Court, in the Rose Garden at the White House, March 16, 2016 in Washington, DC. Garland currently serves as the chief judge 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)Photograph by Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The American public has weighed in on President Obama’s Supreme Court nomination.

A recent Gallup poll found that most Americans surveyed support a Senate confirmation of Merrick Garland, the federal judge Obama nominated last week to fill the vacant seat in the Supreme Court. The poll was conducted between March 18 and March 19, beginning two days after Garland was nominated, and included responses from just over 1,000 randomly selected adults.

About 52% of respondents said that they are more likely to favor a Senate confirmation of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court while 29% say they would oppose and 19% had no opinion. Those numbers are fairly average when compared to the seven other nominees since 1991.

On average, 51% of Americans supported the past eight nominees, including Garland, putting support for this latest nomination slightly above average. The number of Americans opposing Garland is a bit higher than average, which is about 25%, though both Elena Kagan and Harriet Miers saw more opposition. Garland also gets much more support from Democrats (76%) than he does from Republicans (33%).

Obama nominated federal judge Merrick Garland on March 16 and has since seen major opposition from Senate Republicans, particularly majority leader Mitch McConnell, who have refused to give Garland a confirmation hearing. Since Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away in February, many have argued that a so-called “lame duck” president shouldn’t be allowed to nominate someone to fill the vacancy, even though Obama isn’t technically a lame duck president just yet.

About the Author
By Michal Addady
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Leadership


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Leadership


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.