he won't get a confirmation hearing but there is talk of a possible meeting with chuck grassley. pamela brown is working the story for us. what are you learning? >> we've learned the new nominee merrick garland began reaching out to senators shortly after the president made the announcement. before he heads to the hill tomorrow. and now we're learning the senate judiciary chairman chuck grassley is considering meet with garland in person after recess. the president is clear this decision is about his legacy, not the election. >> today i am nominating chief judge merrick brian garland to join the supreme court. >> reporter: president obama made his case for 63-year-old merrick garland, chief judge for the d.c. appeals court. >> i've selected a nominee who is widely recognized not only as one of america's sharpest legal minds but someone who brings to his work a spirit of decency, modesty, integrity, even-handedness and excellence. >> reporter: an emotional judge garland with his family looking on introduced himself to the nation. >> this is the greatest honor of my life. other tha

grassley. >> if i can meet with a dictator in uganda, i can surely meet with a decent person in america. >> reporter: senator mcconnell writes in an op ed in "usa today" the american people deserve a voice in such a momentous decision. but president obama says the voters did have a voice when they elected him. on a phone call with supporters today, he said they didn't add a caveat that said we want you to be president except for your last 300 days in office when you don't have to fulfill your duties. on the steps of the supreme court, democrats contend republicans are putting politics above the law. >> judge garland is a widely respected legal mind who puts the law above ideology. exactly the type of nominee that republicans profess to love when it comes to the supreme court. you simply can't lay a glove on him. >> democrats are holding out hope with republicans going back home for recess today they will face public opposition to their vow of not giving a hearing and change course. meantime, wolf, republican leaders today ruled out confirming garland in the lame duck if a democrat is el