rancho mirage calif. president barack obama tuesday vow pick indisputably qualify nominee supreme court chide republicans control u.s. senate threaten block fill pivotal vacancy obama tell senators constitutional duty nominate new justice saturday death conservative justice antonin scalia remind constitutional obligation job vote approve reject nominee senate majority leader mitch mcconnell say seat nation high court remain vacant obama successor take office january voters say selection cast ballot nov. presidential election amuse hear people claim strict interpreters constitution suddenly read whole series provision obama say constitution pretty clear suppose happen obama former constitutional law professor tell news conference close two-day meet leaders southeast asia washington scalia chair court ornate chamber drape black wool crepe accordance court tradition follow justice death court say scalia body lie repose supreme court build friday funeral mass basilica national shrine immaculate conception washington saturday obama nominee could shift balance power court five conservatives four liberals scalia death president say understand high stake republican senators pressure vote pick lifetime appointment conceivably would decide vote case court split obama say venom rancor washington lead senate routinely block nominations low court post say supreme court important get trap political gridlock one court would expect elect officials rise day-to-day politics say republicans point obama members cabinet senate try block supreme court nomination justice samuel alito then-president george w. bush 2006 complain filibuster today join filibuster senate say stewart spokesman senate republican majority leader mitch mcconnell ask record obama acknowledge democrats play politics nominations describe strategic decisions ultimately block president nominee also true justice alito bench right obama say obama shed little light would choose white house try finesse choice congress go find somebody outstanding legal mind somebody care deeply democracy care rule law obama say go present somebody indisputably qualify seat fair-minded person even somebody disagree politics would say would serve honor integrity court add ask directly mean would choose moderate candidate obama say no say enough time senate hold hear vote nominee without white house need resort procedure know recess appointment get around senate session explicitly rule recess appointment republican judiciary committee chairman chuck grassley whose panel weigh supreme court nominations say tuesday wait obama name pick fill vacancy decide whether hold confirmation hear grassley offer mix message since scalia death senate proceed vacancy alternate hardline view block nominee comment rule hear would wait nominee make would make decisions confirmation hear grassley say accord radio iowa word take step time obama scold senate republicans supreme court threat