Sen. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamSunday shows preview: Washington braces for Trump's Supreme Court pick The Senate's grown-ups in the Trump-Russia probe follow facts, not politics Overnight Energy: Pruitt out as EPA chief | Former aides describe culture of fear | GOP lawmakers relieved by Pruitt's exit MORE[2][3][4][5][6][1] (R-S.C.) on Sunday said President Trump
Donald John TrumpWhat to know about Trump's Supreme Court pick so far Bookstore owner calls police after customer confronted Steve Bannon McConnell pushing Trump toward 2 potential Supreme Court picks: report MORE[8][9][10][11][12][7]’s top four Supreme Court choices are “all winners.”
“Republicans are holding four lottery tickets and all of them are winners,” Graham said on Fox News Sunday. “If you’re a conservative Republican, the four people named -- particularly Thomas Hardiman, I’m glad he’s on the list -- are all winners and every Republican should embrace these picks.”
Trump is expected to announce his nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement earlier this month, on Monday.
The four top contenders are Brett Kavanaugh, Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett, and Hardiman, who was a runner-up to Trump’s first nominee to the bench, Neil Gorsuch.[13]
They all boast extensive experience as federal appeals court judges.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellWhat to know about Trump's Supreme Court pick so far Bookstore owner calls police after customer confronted Steve Bannon McConnell pushing Trump toward 2 potential Supreme Court picks: report MORE[15][16][17][18][19][14] (R-Ky.) is pushing Trump toward selecting Kethledge or Hardiman because he believes they are the most likely to be confirmed by the Senate, which is majority Republican by a narrow 51:47 margin.[20]
McConnell in 2016 blocked a vote on former President Obama’s Supreme Court pick Merrick Garland
Merrick Brian GarlandMcConnell pushing Trump toward 2 potential Supreme Court picks: report Hysteria about the Supreme Court vacancy isn’t about abortion — it’s about reparations Federal court rules against drone hobbyist, sets stage for regulations MORE[22][23][24][25][26][21], and calls from the left to obstruct the nomination process in kind have grown in volume since Kennedy’s announcement.
“Donald Trump could nominate George Washington, John Marshall and they couldn’t get through,” Graham said. “Maybe a handful of Democrats will vote for a Trump pick because they have to politically.”
“I’ve never seen it this dysfunctional,” Graham added. “This is a nightmare for red-state Democrats, to oppose a highly-qualified nominee and all four of these people are highly qualified.”
Trump is reportedly interested in nominating someone who will be confirmed fairly easily, according to the New York Times.[27]...