Sources: Nevada GOP governor vetted for Supreme Court

WASHINGTON - Brian Sandoval, the centrist Republican governor of Nevada, is being vetted by the White House for a possible nomination to the Supreme Court, according to two people familiar with the process.

Sandoval, 52, is increasingly viewed by some key Democrats as perhaps the only nominee President Obama could select who would be able to break a Republican blockade in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) on Tuesday pledged "no action" on any Supreme Court nomination before November's election, saying the decision ought to be left to the next president.

The White House declined to comment Wednesday. White House press secretary Josh Earnest has emphasized in recent days that the president has not arrived at a short list of potential nominees.

On Wednesday morning, Obama stated again he would "do his job" and nominate someone to fill the court vacancy. Referring to McConnell and Senate Republicans, he said: "I recognize the politics are hard for them, because the easier thing to do is to give in to the most extreme voices within their party and stand pat and do nothing."

Obama also predicted that the Republican position "may evolve" if the public believes his nominee is "very well qualified."

"I don't expect Mitch McConnell to say that is the case today. I don't expect any member of the Republican caucus to stick their head out at the moment and say that. But let's see how the public responds to the nominee that we put forward," the president said.

The nomination of a GOP governor - albeit one with a bipartisan record - could break that resolve.

Sandoval met Monday with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a fellow Nevadan with whom he enjoys cordial relations.

A person familiar with the conversation said that while Sandoval told Reid he had not made a final decision on whether he would accept a Supreme Court nomination, he would allow the vetting process to move forward.

Another person in Nevada familiar with the process confirmed that the process is underway.

Sandoval could not immediately be reached for comment.

It is unclear how many potential nominees are undergoing White House vetting for the high court vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia's death. Obama was seen last week carrying a thick binder of materials on potential picks to review.

Obama outlined his thinking in a guest posting on SCOTUSblog Wednesday: "A sterling record. A deep respect for the judiciary's role. An understanding of the way the world really works. That's what I'm considering as I fulfill my constitutional duty to appoint a judge to our highest court."

Some Democrats believe that nominating Sandoval could fracture the front of Republican opposition and force McConnell to take up the nomination in this contentious election year. It would also put on the spot a handful of Senate Republicans who are up for reelection in blue states in November.

The Senate unanimously confirmed Sandoval as a district court judge in 2005 after he was nominated by President George W. Bush.

The Nevada Republican stepped down from the bench in 2009 to run for governor and is now counted among the most popular governors in the nation. He also represents a swing state with a heavy concentration of Latinos who will be important in the presidential race.

But at least one Republican - Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, who is from neighboring Utah - said nominating Sandoval wouldn't change his mind not to act on Obama's candidate.

"I think very highly of him," Hatch said. Asked whether Sandoval was qualified to serve on the court, Hatch said, "I wouldn't make that judgment now."

One Republican who is considered likely to support Sandoval if nominated is Nevada's junior senator, Dean Heller.