No the president is not going to put a Republican on the bench
by digby
This is a political ploy to put Republicans on the spot, nothing more:
Brian Sandoval, the centrist Republican governor of Nevada, is being vetted by the White House for a possible nomination to the Supreme Court, according to two people familiar with the process.
Sandoval is increasingly viewed by some key Democrats as perhaps the only nominee President Obama could select who would be able to break a Republican blockade in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday pledged “no action” on any Supreme Court nomination before November’s election, saying the decision ought to be left to the next president.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest would not comment specifically on whether the administration was considering Sandoval, on the grounds that he did not want “to get into a rhythm of responding” to every report on a potential nominee. But he said that Obama was committed to finding “the best person to fill the vacancy at the Supreme Court,” regardless of whether that person is a Democrat or Republican.
“The president’s focused on criteria that, frankly, is more important, and that is that individual’s qualifications, and their experience and their view of the law,” Earnest said. “That will take precedence over any sort of political consideration.”
I hope everybody keeps their heads about this --- it's a very remote possibility that he would do it and they wouldn't accept if he did. They could theoretically change their minds about holding a hearing or two, but there will be no confirmation of anyone. Obama could pick Rush Limbaugh and they wouldn't confirm him. This is now a base motivating election issue that both parties are going to try to take advantage of.
I think this is now a perception game of cat and mouse. The White House will try to put the Senate on the spot as GOP leaders try to keep their base from blowing up while allowing their swing state senators room to maneuver so they don't get wiped out in the fall. It's advantage White House on that one.
But no, a Republican "centrist" will not be confirmed.
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