You’ve got to hand it to the White House media machine.
It puts out a report that has Washington all a-flutter, even if it appears to be the longest of long shots.
Or is it?
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval is being considered for that coveted spot on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Two things about Sandoval make this a remarkable consideration.
One: He is a former U.S. district judge whom the Senate confirmed overwhelmingly.
Two: He is a Republican.
It’s the second part of Sandoval’s resume that is most intriguing.
GOP senators, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have said they won’t consider anyone for the spot that President Obama wants to fill to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
But are they really and truly going to slam the door shut on one of their own Republicans, someone they’ve endorsed already for a lower court post?
Sandoval is reportedly a moderate Republican. That, of course, doesn’t fit the profile desired by so many of the hard-right senators who will have to vote on whomever the president selects.
The chatter already has suggested that the president is going to nominate a centrist. He’ll forgo an ideological battle in order to get someone seated.
Gov. Sandoval is a long way from being nominated, let alone being considered for the job.
It makes me wonder: Is the president trying to stick it in the ear of the folks with whom he’s been fighting throughout his entire presidency?