As the White House and leading Democrats continue urging Republicans to hold hearings on Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee, progressive groups have adopted the president's "do your job" slogan while quietly refusing to endorse Obama's pick. 

One of the nation's leading civil rights organizations released a report Friday outlining its examination of Garland's record on civil rights and issues of equality, and its findings were less than stellar. The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund (LDF) said Garland is "highly qualified to serve as a justice of the Supreme Court," but the 47-page report pointed out numerous concerns with Garland's past rulings and opinions, and noticeably did not endorse his nomination.

"Our review of Judge Garland's record reveals that he is well prepared to serve on our nation's highest court. He maintains a steadfast respect for the doctrinal and technical contours of the law, forges narrow, carefully reasoned opinions, and builds consensus. In cases involving racial discrimination, Judge Garland seems to appreciate the importance of letting plaintiffs have their day in court and try to prove their case," the report said. "At the same time, LDF has concerns about Judge Garland's record in criminal justice cases, which may be influenced by his lengthy professional background and perspective as a former federal prosecutor and senior DOJ [Department of Justice] official. Those concerns are detailed in this report. Thus, LDF finds the need to grant Judge Garland a Senate hearing particularly compelling so that he can share his approach to cases and decision-making in this area."

Many other liberal groups have taken similarly cautious stances, balancing their lack of excitement, and sometimes disappointment, in Garland with their desire to back up Obama and ensure that Senate Republicans do not set a precedent by succeeding in their refusal to consider the Supreme Court nominee.