CNN/ORC Poll: Most Americans Want Hearings for Obama's SCOTUS Pick

Two-thirds of Americans want confirmation hearings held for Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's nominee to fill the open Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, and most also say the Senate should confirm him, a new CNN/ORC poll finds.

According the survey, conducted  by telephone March 17-20 among a random national sample of 1,001 adults:

• 52 percent favor confirmation
• 33 percent oppose;
• 15 percent unsure.
• 80 percent of Democrats favor confirmation;
• 26 percent of Republicans are in favor;
• 54 percent of Republicans oppose;
• 48 percent of independents approve.

And about Garland himself:

• 45 percent have a positive impression;
• 34 percent neutral;
• 14 percent negative;
• 13 percent say he is not qualified;
• 25 percent say he is one of the most qualified;
• 56 percent feel he is "about right" ideologically;
• 25 percent say he would be too liberal.

The poll also found that most Republicans disagree with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's statements saying the Senate will not hold confirmation hearings for Garland:

• 55 percent say the Senate should hold hearings;
• 67 percent of Democrats call for hearings;
• 68 percent of independents approve.

And most say the choice should rest with Obama and not his successor:

• 57 percent say it should be Obama's choice;
• 58 percent say senators are not justified in voting against Garland for that reason;
• 85 percent of Democrats say Obama should make the appointment;
• 26 percent of Democrats agree;
• 57 percent of Republicans say a vote against Garland would be justified;
• 76 percent of Democrats say it is not justified.

The poll, which carried an overall margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, also showed that congressional approval is at an all-time low among CNN surveys, with 15 percent approving, and Obama's approval rating is at its highest point since May 2013.
 

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