U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has broken with fellow Republicans by saying he ``looks forward'' to President Barack Obama nominating a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Kirk says the constitution gives the president, Republican or Democrat, the right to send a nominee to the Senate.
He says he swore an oath to uphold the constitution, "not to a party or any one individual." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans say the next president should choose Scalia's successor.
Kirk's statements come as he's facing a difficult re-election bid. Democrats vying to unseat him say Obama should fill the vacancy and called on Kirk to take a definitive position.
Kirk says Obama should select someone "who can bridge differences."