As the Senate Republican promised to act against any of President Barack Obama's nominees, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has ruled out himself out of being appointed to the US Supreme Court.
Mildly Republican Gov. Sandoval released a statement after reports that Obama's administration was considering him as a potential replacement for the long-serving Justice Antonin Scalia. The Guardian reported that the Governor of Nevada gave no reason for his decision, however, he said he expressed it to Republican Mitch McConnell, who is a Republican majority leader. He also shared his reason to Nevada Senator Dean Heller and Democratic minority leader Harry Reid.
Hilary Clinton, a Democratic presidential candidate, expressed her concern about Sandoval urging the US president to pick a "true progressive," says Reuters. However, top House of Representatives Democrat, Nancy Pelosi commended Obama for considering Republicans and Democrats to fill the Supreme Court vacancy.
A meeting with Republicans and Democrats leaders will take place next Tuesday to discuss a court nominee. The Senate, which is run by Republicans should confirm any nominee, as reported by the Toronto Sun.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama's spokesman, Josh Earnest, told reporters that Gov. Sandoval is "obviously entitled to make decisions about his own career."
In 2010, President George W. Bush appointed Sandoval before he took office as a governor. Although Sandoval held more moderate views on social issues, such as abortion, he still took a traditional Republican position like backing gun rights.
Chairman of the Judiciary, Chuck Grassley, stressed that the Senate would not act on any Supreme Court nominee until the next president sits in the White House on January 2017, following the presidential election on Nov. 8. Republicans are confident that they will win back the White House then. The battle continues over the US Supreme Court pick and it gets nastier as Grassley accused Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of having childish tantrums.
