washington nevada governor brian sandoval moderate republican take consideration appointment u.s. supreme court thursday senate republicans dig vow act nominee president barack obama ask white house disappoint sandoval decision obama spokesman josh earnest tell reporters obviously entitle make decisions career sandoval name surface possible nominee wednesday senate republicans quickly say still would hold hear vote obama nominee fill supreme court vacancy leave feb. 13 death conservative justice antonin scalia obama appointee could pivot court leave first time decades sandoval mexican-american nevada first hispanic governor offer reason withdrawal early today notify white house wish consider time possible nomination supreme court unite state say statement notion consider seat high court land beyond humble incredibly grateful mention early thursday democratic presidential candidate hillary clinton express concern sandoval urge obama pick true progressive nancy pelosi top house representatives democrat call good idea obama consider republicans well democrats republican-led senate must confirm nominee sandoval 52 appoint judge republican president george w. bush become governor take traditional republican stance back gun right hold moderate view social issue support abortion right obama meet next tuesday senate republican democratic leaders regard court nominee officials say majority leader mitch mcconnell judiciary committee chairman chuck grassley say use meet reiterate republican stance senate act supreme court nominee next president take office january 2017 follow nov. presidential election republicans hope win back white house fight nomination get nasty grassley accuse senate democratic leader harry reid childish tantrums reid call grassley obstructionist judiciary committee chairman ever reid respond childish tantrum ask job republican sandoval withdraw possible supreme court pick