Coming battle over Scalia vacancy departs from historic norm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The history of Supreme Court nominations is dominated by tales of picks the Senate debated and approved with little angst. President Barack Obama's upcoming effort to fill the vacancy created by Antonin Scalia's death doesn't seem to be one of those stories. Senators were returning to Washington Monday from a weeklong recess that saw the 79-year-old justice's unexpected passing inject a blaring new issue into this election year. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's declara

WASHINGTON (AP) — The history of Supreme Court nominations is dominated by tales of picks the Senate debated and approved with little angst. President Barack Obama's upcoming effort to fill the vacancy created by Antonin Scalia's death doesn't seem to be one of those stories. Senators were returning to Washington Monday from a weeklong recess that saw the 79-year-old justice's unexpected passing inject a blaring new issue into this election year. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's declara…