White House considers Nevada Gov. Sandoval for Supreme Court

Brian Sandoval, a 52-year-old Mexican-American, is considered a moderate Republican, particularly on social issues. And half of the Democratic-leaning voters said they’re more likely to support candidates who compromise with Republicans.

Sandoval has supported gun rights as governor, which could prompt concerns from gun-control advocates. He says if Senate Republicans take a “stand against tradition”, it will further erode any president’s ability to make appointments to the Supreme Court bench.

Sandoval, meanwhile, said he hasn’t been contacted about any potential nomination.

Sandoval’s consideration immediately reverberated in the Nevada Senate race, where candidates are vying to replace Reid, who is retiring.

For those unfamiliar with the Nevada governor’s background, it’s worth emphasizing that by 2016 standards, Sandoval is out of step with many of his party’s key positions.

“It’s time for the Senate to put statesmanship over partisanship, and live up to our constitutional principles”, Clinton said. Senate Republicans said Tuesday they wouldn’t hold a confirmation hearing until the next president is sworn in. Despite Republican opposition, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s assertion that there will be no hearings on the matter until the next administration, Obama has remained resolute in his intention to select the next high court judge. “I talked to [Obama’s] political guy today”. Says we shouldn’t assume anything other than nominee will be “well qualified”. He said they were sheepish in their arguments that a nominee should not be confirmed until next year and predicted their posture would change. He has said a whole series of things that I think go against the foundational values of the United States, not least of which is, I think, the risky and irresponsible pronouncement he made that we should be conducting surveillance on Muslims in the United States, we should be seeking to deport Muslims from the United States and we should enact a complete ban on allowing any Muslims into the United States.

“I don’t expect any member of the Republican caucus to stick their head out at the moment and say that”, Obama said.

“He or she will have an independent mind, rigorous intellect, impeccable credentials and a record of excellence and integrity”, Obama wrote.

Obama’s pointed remarks and Reid’s unconventional suggestion come amid a bitter standoff between Senate Republicans and the White House over naming a Supreme Court replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia, whose death this month launched an epic election-year fight over constitutional powers and precedent. Dean Heller, a Republican, said Nevadans should have a voice in approving a selection – which his aides said meant the next president, not Obama, should fill the vacancy.