The next voice on the Supreme Court should be the most qualified for the post

One of the greatest powers of the President of the United States is the ability to nominate people to the Supreme Court. President Donald Trump’s term has ended, but his appointees to the Supreme Court continue to shape policy and will for years to come. Now President Joe Biden is tasked with recommending an appointment to the Supreme Court to replace the retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. On the campaign trail, Biden pledged to nominate a black woman to the Supreme Court should a vacancy arise, and with Breyer’s retirement announcement, Biden has reiterated that pledge. There is no question is it long overdue for a black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. But the pick shouldn’t be made based on gender or ethnicity. The selection should be the person most qualified for the job. No doubt there are many women of color who are qualified for the post. But are they the most qualified to offer the final word on contentious items facing our country for the next several decades? Let’s hope that is the case. Of course, all presidents make selections based on politics, hoping the person they appoint will affirm their policies should they face legal challenges. But the goal should be to find the person who is most qualified to sit on the nation’s highest court for the rest of their life.