In the spirit of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s regard for it, here is part of what the Constitution says, in Article 2, about the duties of the president: “he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint . . . judges of the supreme Court.’’

The Constitution wants the president to nominate a candidate, and the Senate first to advise the president, and then to consent to the candidate’s appointment. Nothing is said about blocking appointments.

Shouldn’t everyone involved do the constitutional thing? Let’s have President Obama nominate a replacement for Justice Scalia, and the Senate advise him, and then consent.

Jeffrey Mitchell

Cambridge