As of 8:45pm EST, President Obama gave a televised public statement to recognize Scalia’s death — and to affirm that he will ‘promptly, as the Constitution mandates’ nominate his replacement.
CBS livestream here.
Guardian liveblog here.
Time, “The South Carolina GOP Primary Just Became All About Judges”:
… Hours before the Republican White House hopefuls were set to take the stage, a shout rose up through the conference room where reporters were sitting at rows of tables.
“Scalia is dead,” a correspondent shouted to no one in particular—and to American politics at large…
Immediately, the campaigns had to reshuffle their strategy. Plans to connect with South Carolina’s voters suddenly were rendered out of date, and Saturday night’s debate had one focus for last-minute preparation…
Let the wild rumpus begin!