Clinton calls on Obama to nominate ‘true progressive’ to Supreme Court

Hillary Clinton called on President Obama to nominate a “true progressive” to the Supreme Court in remarks critical of suggestions that Nevada Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval could be the nominee.

“There has been some talk that maybe the president will nominate the Republican governor of Nevada. Now, I love Nevada, especially after last weekend,” the White House hopeful said Thursday during a campaign rally in South Carolina, referencing her victory last weekend in the Nevada Democratic caucuses. 

{mosads}”I know the governor has done some good things, but I sure hope the president chooses a true progressive who will stand up for the values and the interests of the people of this country who understand that you need to protect the right to vote of a person, not the right of a corporation to buy an election, who will understand that we still need the Voting Rights Act to be enforced.”

The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the White House was vetting Sandoval as a possible pick.

Such a nomination would put pressure on Senate Republicans, who have said they will not hold hearings or even meet with an Obama nominee.

Sandoval is a former district court judge and supports abortion rights.

Republicans and Democrats have launched a contentious battle over the court after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the court’s staunch conservative members.

GOP lawmakers have argued that the next president should choose Scalia’s successor, something they argue would give voters in this fall’s election a voice.

Democrats say Obama remains the president, and have criticized the GOP for threatening to block any nominee he makes.