White House considers Nevada governor for Supreme Court
The White House is considering Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada as a possible nominee to the Supreme Court, two people familiar with the process said Wednesday.
Report - Obama Vetting Moderate Republican For Supreme Court Nomination
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/02/why_republican_brian_sandoval.html
..from a political perspective, Sandoval could be a strong pick for two big reasons:
1. Of the names that have been floated so far, he is one of the most difficult for Republicans to shut down. Turning aside a moderate Republican governor could make life difficult for vulnerable Senate Republicans defending seats in blue states.
2. Sandoval's resume is the stuff of Republican recruiting dreams. He was the first statewide Hispanic to win office in Nevada. He's served as Nevada's governor since 2011. He favors the death penalty, school choice vouchers and gun rights. Before he was governor, he served as a federal district judge in Nevada from 2005 to 2009, a spot he surprised many by leaving to run for governor. Today, his resume make him an automatic short-lister for just about any national position, from Supreme Court to cabinet to vice president. (The one big hitch: Sandoval favors abortion rights, making it tough for him to make a national GOP ticket.)
If Obama is truly looking to go the consensus route, Sandoval is an almost unparalleled option. He has proven time and again he can draw up a bipartisan coalition of supporters. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., actually recommended to President Bush the then-attorney general for an open spot on U.S. District Court. (In Nevada political circles, it's common knowledge Reid was deftly maneuvering to get one of his most formidable potential opponents out of Nevada. Sandoval left the bench to run for governor in 2010 and defeated Reid's son, Rory Reid.)
In Sandoval's 2005 Senate confirmation hearing for the bench, senators from both sides praised him. "There has been a lot of squabbling in recent years here with judges," Reid said at the time. "Brian Sandoval will cause no squabbles. Everyone will vote for him. He is a class act." "[He is] somebody we both agree is an outstanding choice for the bench," said then-Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. "He is going to make a great judge, no question," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a top Republican on the Senate panel in charge of considering all judicial nominations.
The Senate confirmed his appointment unanimously.
In picking Sandoval, Obama could also make the case he's not selling out the Democratic Party's core principles entirely. The governor's record on abortion, expanding Medicaid, same-sex marriage and even Syrian/Iraqi refugees could be made palatable for Democrats.
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He may the one or he may be one of a list, but it is getting clearer that the nominee will be a moderate to put pressure on the Republicans in the senate.
He'd be hard for the GOP to turn down. If they refuse to even meet with an Obama nominee like McConnell says and they refuse to meet with him they'd really look like assholes. I mean they are, but this would make it even more obvious.
I'm not thrilled with his stances on vouchers and gun rights, but his positives on Medicaid, gay marriage and pro-choice could make up for his failings in the other areas.
If he were to nominate Sandoval, he must know clinton will be indicted. The only way he nominates Sandoval is if he's sure climton will lose.
right now, it's just a meanigless trial baloon designed to show how "moderate" obama is. Wake me when actually nominates someone.
Yawn. When the vapid speculation is over, alert me.
This is a teaser! Obama is just waiting. If they act on this, then, they will have to act on others. He is calling their hands!