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Gregoire Could Replace Kagan
National Journal ^ | 12 May 2010 | Reid Wilson

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.


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: elenakagan; gregoire; kagan
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To: Pride in the USA

I guess this would be one way to finally get rid of her. Would love to see McKenna throw his hat in the Governor’s ring, after Rossi declares his Senate candidacy.


61 posted on 05/12/2010 4:00:32 PM PDT by lonevoice (If Fox News is the only outlet reporting it, did it really happen?)
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To: Publius

Should she go, it would be in the long line of great minds from the state of WA serving His Greatness. She would join the likes of Gary Good Ridence Locke, Glen Beat Cop Kurlecowski, and Ron What Took You So Long To Leave Sims. The brain drain in this state is unbelievable, only as whoelse would want the losers listed above.


62 posted on 05/12/2010 4:01:24 PM PDT by Kurmudgeon
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To: Frumanchu; Dr. Eckleburg; Gamecock
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.

Right now, there's a carpet cleaner in Washington with a 167 IQ, whose head just exploded.

63 posted on 05/12/2010 4:07:40 PM PDT by Alex Murphy (Pretentiousness is so beneath me.)
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To: Psycho_Bunny

Me too (one time). What she lacked in brains and class she more then made up for in arrogance...


64 posted on 05/12/2010 4:30:42 PM PDT by rockrr (Everything is different now...)
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To: dead

I swear that Kagan is Al Gore in drag.


65 posted on 05/12/2010 4:44:24 PM PDT by edh (I need a better tagline)
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To: Genoa

please enlighten me on SCOTUS precedings. Is it possible that a spot on the court could be vacant for over two years? Can Obama appoint a SCOTUS judge when the Senate refuses to confirm, but is adjourned? Is it possible the Senate Repubs can do this?


66 posted on 05/12/2010 4:49:22 PM PDT by FutureRocketMan
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To: FutureRocketMan
Is it possible that a spot on the court could be vacant for over two years?

Yes.

Can Obama appoint a SCOTUS judge when the Senate refuses to confirm, but is adjourned?

Yes, but a recess appointment is only valid during that session of Congress.

Is it possible the Senate Repubs can do this?

No.

67 posted on 05/12/2010 7:57:39 PM PDT by Publius (Unless the Constitution is followed, it is simply a piece of paper.)
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Comment #68 Removed by Moderator

To: CedarDave
I read the headline and thought Kagan was in trouble for the SC nomination and there was already speculation on a replacement!

I did the same, Dave! But then I started scanning the headlines of the other articles on FR and when I didn't see anything in the first 10, I figured I had it wrong. I knew for sure if it were true, it would be a subject of much discussion here on FR!

dang!

69 posted on 05/12/2010 8:27:27 PM PDT by Mygirlsmom (Calling an Illegal Alien an "Immigrant" is like calling a bank robber a "customer")
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