What's wrong with that strategy? If I had to nominate someone for a position, and I had a bunch of unknowns as choices, and one person I knew would do a good job, why would I go with some person I didn't know?
Not superficially more qualified, demonstrably and substantively.
no one? if we eliminate the people we both agree had no chance because they were too visible and controversial - Brown, Luttig, Owens, a few others - there's no one else?
suppose Stevens passes away tomorrow? who is the pick to replace him?