# Nevada Gov Brian Sandoval Being Vetted as Potential Supreme Court Justice!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 24, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005 "2016-02-24T18:43:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/61 "2016-02-25T06:35:45Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Getting the President to nominate a Republican governor? Oh yeah, that’s a win. Which is exactly why the way the Republicans are behaving is so stupid and the antithesis of good government. At the end of the day - whether it’s politics or not, these guys are supposed to govern the country. What they have done is to paint everybody into a corner of making bad decisions. Now they have “forced” Obama into a position of having the choice between nominating a liberal or appearing to “cave” to their demands as a ball-less jerk. Not a nice choice right? If he nominates anybody even slightly right of centre - he takes a hit as “giving in” The end result? Likely a MORE left wing candidate. I always thought the constitution basically assumed that it would be implemented by reasonable people doing their best. The rules tend to fall down a bit when everybody tries to be a cheating jerk ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/62 "2016-02-25T06:45:08Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > There’s no point in misdirecting. Just as the President can float Sandoval and then change his mind, the Republicans can say anything they want and change their minds too. They can keep on saying they won’t confirm anyone right up until he’s named, and then when he is, confirm him and declare victory. Yeah, no. The point if misdirecting is to get the Repubs to either double down on their refusal, despite a complete handjob nominee being floated or have them look like hypocrites for dropping their supposedly high minded principles once a political favour comes down from the President. Face it, the Republican leadership painted themselves into a corner and this is just one of the grenades Obama is going to lob into that corner. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/63 "2016-02-25T08:03:06Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > Maybe it _is_, especially relative to anything else that’s likely to happen, but it won’t look that way, after their posturing about how they must take a stand against Obama!! That would be a hollow, Pyrrhic “victory”. Win a couple news cycles against them in return for their getting a Republican on the SCOTUS for 30 years? Bad, bad deal. Just, no. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/64 "2016-02-25T13:55:04Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > That would be a hollow, Pyrrhic “victory”. Win a couple news cycles against them in return for their getting a Republican on the SCOTUS for 30 years? Bad, bad deal. Just, no. As I said, I believe confirming Obama’s nominee is now the best option they have left themselves. It will still hurt them some with the wing that is convinced–that they have convinced–that Obama is the enemy of America, and that any accommodation of him is a surrender to tyranny. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/65 "2016-02-25T14:29:59Z")
I’m enjoying Obama’s “I don’t have to care about what you think anymore” phase of his Presidency. This is brilliant: “yeah, we will look at this guy, see if he can pass.” and then see what happens… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/66 "2016-02-25T14:42:55Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I so disagree. I hope this is wrong. > > An African American, preferably a woman, with mainstream center-left positions and impeccable credentials, would be ideal. A Republican officeholder? No way. :smack: I can understand you’d want someone who shares your political philosophy but why on earth do race or gender matter? ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/67 "2016-02-25T14:51:20Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I can understand you’d want someone who shares your political philosophy but why on earth do race or gender matter? So you think Clarence Thomas just happened to be black? Come on, this is politics. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/68 "2016-02-25T16:54:42Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > They are withholding their advice and consent, or whatever the constitution says. So, they are not doing their jobs, assuming they follow through with their threats. They could hold hearings and reject every nominee, but not even interviewing the nominee and not holding hearings is dereliction of duties. You can’t advise and consent with your eyes and ears closed. You can’t provide a U.S. Senate job description that clearly states that the U.S. Senate must have a vote for every Presidential nominee because that doesn’t exist. Nominees have failed to be seated on the Supreme Court for many reasons. There is no dereliction of duty if that duty isn’t spelled out. The U.S. Senate can chose to consent or not. If/when the DNC/Obama (not Hairy Reed) actually announce a nominee, it will then be up to the U.S. Senate to deal with that nominee as they see fit. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/69 "2016-02-25T17:12:19Z")
For historic reference - > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Cite, please. > [@elucidator](#): > > The poster has clearly declared the “hearsay” nature of his post. He is not offering any pretense of authority. Hava cuppa chill, it’s good for you. Why shouldn’t **D’Anconia** ask for a cite if he believes one is warranted? Especially since this _Nevada Gov Brian Sandoval Being Vetted as Potential Supreme Court Justice!!_ story appears to be a prank played by Hairy Reed on a couple of alleged reporters. Obama wants a Republican Governor as the next SCOTUS Justice? Seriously? Reed punked a couple of reporters because A) reporters can’t be bothered to actually vet their stories and B) reporters can’t be bothered to actually vet their stories. The story grew legs, and the Democrat collective bought it hook, line, and sinker. _ **Hooray! What a brilliant move by Obama to put pressure on Republicans in the U.S. Senate!!!** _ :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/70 "2016-02-25T17:27:17Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Why shouldn’t **D’Anconia** ask for a cite if he believes one is warranted? **D’Anconia** has a history of demanding cites for the sole purpose of derailing threads. Why should someone produce a cite for a clearly sarcastic statement? > [@](#): > > Reed punked a couple of reporters because A) reporters can’t be bothered to actually vet their stories and B) reporters can’t be bothered to actually vet their stories. The story grew legs, and the Democrat collective bought it hook, line, and sinker. _ **Hooray! What a brilliant move by Obama to put pressure on Republicans in the U.S. Senate!!!** _ :smack: :smack: As the Republicans are the ones responding I’d say they were the ones that have been punked if anyone. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/71 "2016-02-25T18:37:45Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > As the Republicans are the ones responding I’d say they were the ones that have been punked if anyone. Exactly. They look even more ridiculous for their “we won’t consider anyone” stance. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/72 "2016-02-25T18:42:56Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Which is exactly why the way the Republicans are behaving is so stupid and the antithesis of good government. > At the end of the day - whether it’s politics or not, these guys are supposed to govern the country. What they have done is to paint everybody into a corner of making bad decisions. Now they have “forced” Obama into a position of having the choice between nominating a liberal or appearing to “cave” to their demands as a ball-less jerk. > Not a nice choice right? If he nominates anybody even slightly right of centre - he takes a hit as “giving in” > The end result? Likely a MORE left wing candidate. > > I always thought the constitution basically assumed that it would be implemented by reasonable people doing their best. The rules tend to fall down a bit when everybody tries to be a cheating jerk Why on green earth would Obama nominate someone even slightly “right of center”??? Hes a D for one thing, remember? His voters voted for Kerry, Gore and him, (And were the majority of votes cast) and watched Reagan and 2 bushes, and suffered under a right wing court for what seems like forever. It would really be spitting in the eye of most of the country to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/73 "2016-02-25T18:44:35Z")
[Sandoval’s out!](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/brian-sandoval-no-supreme-court-219784?cmpid=sf) Frankly, I’m surprised he let himself be a message to Republicans for this long. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/74 "2016-02-25T19:00:50Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > The really amazing part is that _they_ are accusing _Obama_ of “playing politics” with the nomination. The brass balls on those guys! They picked the game, and now they’re complaining Obama is beating them at it. > [@adaher](#): > > Getting the President to nominate a Republican governor? Oh yeah, that’s a win. Not really - I know he’s out, but putting in someone much of the party considers a “RINO” is still a big shift to the left for the court, as noted: > [@Jophiel](#): > > Even assuming that Obama is sincere about considering Sandoval, it’s not a terrible choice. In a “half a loaf” sense, you’re replacing a hard right conservative with a moderate who’ll probably agree with your stance on a number of issues. And you’re locking down the seat so, heavens forbid, should Clinton lose in November then at least it’s not being filled by a Scalia clone. If Clinton should win, well, she’ll still get to fill Ginsburg’s seat (and likely one or two others). Don’t be fooled by the “R” - it’s all about the long game. Of course, the more Republican candidates the GOP shoot down, the stronger Obama’s position if he finally says “welp, I tried” and throws his full support behind a proper liberal, to be confirmed by the next Congress. And the GOP will have no one to blame but themselves. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/75 "2016-02-25T19:24:26Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > LBJ pushing through civil rights knowing that it would be politically damaging was government not politics. Just because the current crop of Republican leaders are scum and worse doesn’t mean that everyone is. > Some people think the Constitution trumps their party. (Pun intended.) McConnell obviously does not. Maybe, though LBJ opposed ever civil right proposal that went up for a vote for 20 years: Sez Prez Obama: > [@](#): > > During his first 20 years in Congress,he opposed every civil rights bill that came up for a vote, once calling the push for federal legislation a farce and a shame. [Link](http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2014/apr/14/barack-obama/lyndon-johnson-opposed-every-civil-rights-proposal/). So LBJ put human rights on hold for 20 years for political power. Sorta scummy, don’t ya think? Slee ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/76 "2016-02-25T20:19:54Z")
Hey **doorhinge** , I’m not wild about Harry, but he’s Harry Reid. Harry Reid. Harry Reid. Hairy Reed is a porn star’s handle, which I’m sure is of particular interest to you, while Harry Reid is a duly-elected United States Senator. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/77 "2016-02-25T21:45:04Z")
It takes two to tango. And Bran Sandoval is declining the next dance as he announced he informed the White House that [he does not want to be considered](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-gov-brian-sandoval-takes-himself-out-of-the-running-for-scotus/) for a nomination to the Supreme Court. It does highlight a possible difficulty that Obama faces. Perhaps his choice will not choose him? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/78 "2016-02-25T22:17:41Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > It takes two to tango. And Bran Sandoval is declining the next dance as he announced he informed the White House that [he does not want to be considered](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-gov-brian-sandoval-takes-himself-out-of-the-running-for-scotus/) for a nomination to the Supreme Court. > > It does highlight a possible difficulty that Obama faces. Perhaps his choice will not choose him? I highly doubt someone with judicial aspirations would say no to a lifetime appointment to the SC, just to spite the guy he will never have to work with. Sandoval is a guy who wants to serve in electoral politics. He already walked away from being a judge to run for governor. He doesn’t want to be a judge. I \*do \*think he didn’t like having the Democratic president use him as a political wedge, hence his withdrawal from the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/79 "2016-02-25T22:31:20Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > It takes two to tango. And Bran Sandoval is declining the next dance as he announced he informed the White House that [he does not want to be considered](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-gov-brian-sandoval-takes-himself-out-of-the-running-for-scotus/) for a nomination to the Supreme Court. IE - Sandoval finally wises up to the fact that Harry Reid was just using him. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005/80 "2016-02-25T23:45:07Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > IE - Sandoval finally wises up to the fact that Harry Reid was just using him. My understanding is that the two of them are actually friends, mutually respectful and with a history of working together on Nevada issues. Reid, and Obama, may have thought it a good time to get a Republican name into the conversation, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a sincere recommendation on Reid’s part. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-being-vetted-as-potential-supreme-court-justice/747005.md?page=5)