GOP experts make Supreme Court shortlist

By Kimberly Atkins The Daily Record Newswire If the presidential election yields a Republican victor, and a vacancy emerges on the U.S. Supreme Court, who would be nominated to fill it? That's the question The Huffington Posts's Mike Sacks put to some GOP experts, and here's who they picked: Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the D.C. Circuit jurist, was the top name mentioned by those who think about such things, Sacks reports. The appointee of President George w. Bush and former clerk for Justice Anthony Kennedy also worked on the infamous Starr Report that led to impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton. Judge Diane Sykes, the 7th Circuit judge whose name has been mentioned as a GOP SCOTUS contender before, also got high marks from experts. 6th Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton is a controversial pick for conservatives, giving his recent decision upholding the constitutionality of the federal health care law. But that ruling could also bring him support from across the aisle in the Senate, making him an attractive candidate. Others mentioned on the list include 10th Circuit Judge Neil Gorsuch and former Solicitor General Paul Clement. Published: Thu, Dec 29, 2011