So, assuming Obama nominates a Republican to the SC

[TDale313]

Because he thinks it'll either make Republicans look bad when they still don't confirm or because he thinks they would cave in that case.

Am I supposed to feel ok with that? Am I supposed to want them to get confirmed? Would a conservative be better than the seat remaining vacant?

[yourout]

1. +1...stupid risky.

For no reason.

[BillZBubb]

2. It's a terrible idea but it is a third way idea. Sorry for the redundancy.

[Xipe Totec]

3. Actually, yes. Because it's subtle, and brilliant.

He is a moderate, a Hispanic, and a Republican.

I think he would be a decent SCJ.

And no matter which way the Republican controlled senate goes, they are SOOOO screwed!

[TDale313]

6. Nope. Not buying it.

Rather see the seat stay vacant than give in to their bullying and be stuck with another Repug/Conservative on the bench.

[Xipe Totec]

8. As always, you're entitled to your opinion

In a democracy, a genius and an imbecile carry the same weight.

I'll let you assign roles.

[erpowers]

15. Against Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

There are reports that Gov. Sandoval said Obamacare was unconstitutional and that he would work to repeal the law. Think Progress claimed that after the Supreme Court declared Obamacare constitutional he implemented medicaid expansion. He also has come out in favor of union reform.

This is a plan that could backfire on President Obama. President Obama could end up putting someone on the Supreme Court that is just as bad, or worse than Antonin Scalia. It is very possible that the Republicans in the Senate will pretend to be opposed to any nominee, but when Sandoval is nominated vote him into the seat. Unless President Obama is secretly opposed to Obamacare, unions, and other Democratic ideas he should nominate someone who supports Democratic views.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/02/24/3753282/obama-reportedly-considering-gop-governor-who-called-obamacare-unconstitutional-for-supreme-court/

[Nevernose]

16. They misstate his environmental record

Think Progress says he signed a bill banning coal plants, which is true. It then goes on to say he supported the Public Utilities Commission's decision to essentially kill residential solar (in the sunniest state in the union), and TP concludes that he's somehow opposed to environmental protections.

Wrong conclusion: it's graft, not anti-environment. Every Nevada politician -- liberal or conservative -- has been on the take from Nevada Power going back to the 1920s. Seriously. A Vegas mayor went to jail for it in the 30s and it's never improved. It might be even worse now that Warren Buffet owns it.

[LonePirate]

4. He is not going to nominate a Republican.

Sandoval's name was dropped simply to make the Senate Republicans look bad for objecting to a Republican governor nominee which the general public would see as a compromise choice by Obama. When the actual nominee is named, s/he will be a Democrat or a highly qualified unaffiliated judge.

[TDale313]

5. I hope that's true.

And it could very well be the case.

[former9thward]

11. Nobody looks bad.

Because no one has been nominated. Somebody will have to be actually nominated for anybody but political junkies to care about.

[Agnosticsherbet]

7. Republicans will refuse to perform their Constitutionally required duties.

Obama is going to make them pay for that.

If we win back the Senate, this will be a part of that reason.

Obama will nominate a highly qualified judge.

[Origen]

9. Won't Happen

Obama would never nominate a conservative justice.

[StevieM]

14. Welcome to DU, Origen!!

I hope Obama doesn't nominate a Republican. He should just nominate a good liberal and let the Republicans do whatever they do.

As it stands now, Obama has a stellar record on judicial appointments.

[redstateblues]

10. Obama plays the long game

It's making chicken salad out of chicken shit

[Larkspur]

12. Obama is playing 3 dimentional chess on the rings of Saturn

Is Hillary still clinging to Obama to prove that she is more of a Democrat than Bernie?

[StevieM]

13. IMO Barack Obama appointed the best Supreme Court Justice since Brennan, Sonia Sotomayer. (eom)

[CommonSenseDemocrat]

17. Earl Warren was one of the best chief justices.

Is Sandoval a Warren? I'm not sure.

[BainsBane]

18. Whether they are a Republican or Democrat isn't the issue

what matters is judicial philosophy.

Breyer was a Republican, as was O'Conner.

However, I wouldn't worry about what news reports say. Stories appear for all kinds of reasons. Wait until there is an actual nominee.