Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has told President Barack Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court that the Senate won’t consider his nomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Barack Obama nominating Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has told President Barack Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court that the Senate won’t consider his nomination.

McConnell spokesman Don Stewart says the Senate’s majority leader spoke to nominee Merrick Garland by phone on Wednesday. Stewart says McConnell repeated his long-held position that the Senate won’t consider a nominee for the high court until the next president nominates one.

 Most Republicans have rallied behind McConnell’s opposition to considering any Obama selection. McConnell and many other GOP senators say they wouldn’t even meet with a nominee.

Stewart says McConnell felt it was more considerate of Garland to talk by phone, and not subject him to „more unnecessary political routines orchestrated by the White House.“

Stewart says McConnell wished Garland well in the Wednesday afternoon call, which the spokesman says did not last long.

I find this incredible. I feel that I am watching the illusion of American democracy that I was indoctrinated with in elementary school smashed upon an anvil of right wing gold.