[Diddle E. Squat]

What is your leaning as to the accuracy of this 'leak' that Clement will be named? Am starting to have a gut instinct that this is a misdirection leak, and the actual nominee will be someone else. But I have no sources, nor a DC or legal background.

[Congressman Billybob]

Because the leak is so widespread, on many media outlets, and because Senator Spector has visited the White House (and he is a notorious blabbermouth), I'm inclined to think this is real. However, until the President makes his announcement, it could be a misdirection.

Only once in my career did I know FOR SURE what was happening. I was on staff to the Bicentennial Commission on the Constitution, when Chief Justice Warren Burger resigned so President Reagan could nominate Rehnquist. I knew about that one transaction 30 minutes before the official announcement. That's because Burger traded the Chairmanship of the Commission (at a high salary, appointed by the President, including the firing of the former Chairman, Jepson) for letting Reagan name a new Chief Justice.

Other than that one instance, I offer nothing more than educated guesses on this process.

Congressman Billybob

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