Very interesting set of SCOTUS nomination scenarios you raised.
I personally don’t thing he’d risk elevating Cruz’s stature by honoring him with such a prestigious nomination.
Being gracious is not one of Obola’s virtues, and I can’t think of a single instance of him doing anything to permit, never mind promote anything that would benefit the conservative cause.
Obola is hard core Chicago thug who wants guaranteed results.
He’s going to push for a liberal minority to take Scalia’s place, IMHO.
Of course; his combined ideological purity and narcissism would preclude his doing anything else.
Now, if Obama really wanted to feed his narcissism, confound his enemies, and ensure that Hillary would never get back in the White House, there is one other person he could nominate for the Court: himself. The Senate wouldn't have the guts to block the nomination, Obama would be the most liberal, anti-Constitutional person on the court, and Biden would immediately both become President and the incumbent, virtually ensuring his nomination and his election in November. Liberal Court, Hillary squashed, Obama walking in the footsteps of William Howard Taft...what more could he ask for?