Posted on 05/12/2010 1:02:21 PM PDT by Publius
WA Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) leads a short list to replace Solicitor General Elena Kagan, the WH has told members of Gregoire's home-state delegation.
Gregoire, a 2-term incumbent and a former WA AG, has been a rumored contender for other admin positions. But the WH has informed top aides to WA members that she is under serious consideration, according to several sources inside the delegation.
An admin official confirmed Gregoire's name is one of those being considered. Gregoire endorsed candidate Obama just before the WA caucuses in '08, offering a helping hand as Obama picked up two-thirds of the state's delegates.
Gregoire's appointment would elevate LG Brad Owen (D), a conservative Dem who has held his largely ceremonial post since '96. Several more prominent Dems have been angling to run for the state's top job in '12, when Gregoire was expected to pass on a third term.
WA insiders put Rep. Jay Inslee (D) at the top of the Dem list. Snohomish Co. Exec. Aaron Reardon (D) and Rep. Adam Smith (D) are also mentioned as potential contenders. On the other side, ex-state Sen. Dino Rossi (R), who lost twice to Gregoire by narrow margins, is the most popular GOPer in the state, but Dem strategists are most worried about AG Rob McKenna (R), who covets the job.
If Gregoire makes the cut, she would immediately be in position to land on another short list -- the solicitor general, who represents the government before the Supreme Court, is sometimes called the 10th Justice, and those who hold the job are often considered potential SCOTUS nominees. Obama has reportedly told top aides he wants to be the first president to appoint 3 women to the high court. Several other women -- most notably District Court Judge Diane Wood, MI Gov. Jennifer Granholm and DHS Sec. Janet Napolitano -- have been on Obama's radar as possible SCOTUS picks too.
Gregoire would also be the latest in a series of WA officials to move to DC. Ex-Gov. Gary Locke serves as Commerce Sec. Ex-King Co. Exec. Ron Sims, who finished second behind Gregoire in the '04 Dem primary, is the number 2 official at HUD. And ex-Seattle police chief Gil Kerlikowske heads the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Please ping the chapter.
WA state would be glad to get rid of Gregoire. One less lying lib can only improve the state.
“Gregoire Could Replace Kagan”
Well that is good and bad.
I don't get it.
Has Kagan been confirmed already?
Has she resigned as S.G. ?
Or is this just more arrogance?
Never mind; I think I know.
Oh god, not that brain-dead twit.
Good. Get rid of the incompetent hag out of my state.
Take our Governor...please.
Another lying cheating piece of garbage.
Bad and worse.....Gregoire on the Supreme Court for life?...God help us!!
I read the headline and thought Kagan was in trouble for the SC nomination and there was already speculation on a replacement! LOL.
Why? Why wouldn't you want the best available jurist, regardless of sex or skin color? Just a rhetorical question.
NO...as Solicitor General...
OH, c’mon...YOU KNOW WHY....
That pile of crap got in to office after the third recount of votes. ACORN and friends kept “finding” votes each recount which eventually ended up with her beating Dino Rossi in a very close race. No way should this fraud be on the Supreme Court!!....Sweet Jesus!
Solicitor General, not the Supreme Court.
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