Sandoval removes his name from SCOTUS consideration

Yesterday, news broke that President Obama was supposedly vetting Republican Governor Brian Sandoval for the Supreme court seat left empty by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. More than likely, this was never a real plan. It was either a head fake designed to see if there were any weak-kneed GOPers who'd waver on their refusal to appoint an Obama pick if the nom was Republican, or it was a trial balloon designed to see if Sandoval's perceived 2nd Amendment support could overcome his reputation as a RINO on a host of other issues. Today we've learned that all of the speculation is irrelevant. Whether or not Sandoval was being genuinely considered doesn't matter anymore, since he's removed his name from consideration.

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As CBS Las Vegas reports, a statement on his website makes it clear that he doesn't want the gig:

Nevada’s Governor now says he does not want to be nominated to the US Supreme Court. Republican Governor Brian Sandoval’s office just putting out a statement Thursday mid-day that says “I notified the White House that I do not wish to be considered at this time for possible nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.” The statement goes on to say that Sandoval has spoken to both of Nevada’s US Senators, including Harry Reid, widely believed to have suggested Sandoval in the 1st place. Sandoval also says he’s spoken to Senate Majority Mitch McConnell about his decision. The statement concludes: “The notion of being considered for a seat on the highest court in the land is beyond humbling and I am incredibly grateful to have been mentioned.”

We're sure this comes as a disappointment to Reid and Obama, along with all the progressives who felt this was some kind of masterful political maneuver. However, if you genuinely think Sandoval was a good selection, you should never have gotten your hopes up. Our current Commander in Chief would never knowingly appoint a candidate with a solid history of viewing the 2nd Amendment as an individual right. For the last seven years, virtually every major presidential appointee has shared Obama's anti-firearm views. This SCOTUS pick is for all the gun control marbles, so it will be no different.

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