UPDATE 2/24/2016: Several media sources including CNN and the Washington Post are reporting that Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval is officially being vetted for a nomination to the US Supreme Court. The nomination suggestion reportedly came from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

Sandoval's office says, “Neither Governor Sandoval nor his staff has been contacted by or talked to the Obama Administration regarding any potential vetting for the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court.”

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February 17, 2016, at Democratic Headquarters in Reno, US Senator Harry Reid was asked about potential nominees for the U-S Supreme Court. He gave a short list, and then he was asked about Nevada's Governor Brian Sandoval.

The senator said he was going to meet with the Nevada governor later in the day.

“So we have a good relationship, and we found it works much better if we keep our conversations to ourselves,” said Senator Reid.

While Senator Reid may be mum on the subject, that isn't the case with the national media. The Washington Post puts Sandoval's name on the short list, saying he would make his fellow Republicans squirm.

“It would be an incredible problem for the Republicans to resolve. I don't think they could not now hold hearings. And I don't know how they would reject this other than over the conservative credentials. But they would be taking a slap at a prominent Hispanic governor in the Republican Party. It is poetically beautiful, from the point of view of the Obama administration,” says TMCC Political Science Professor Fred Lokken.

Sandoval was confirmed and served on the federal bench with a vast majority of Senators voting yea. He resigned from the post to run for governor.

A rising star in the Republican Party, such a nomination by a Democratic President could put an end to that. But with a lifetime appointment some observers say that may not be such a bad thing.

On MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell" February 17 program, Daily Beast Columnist Jonathan Atler and Huffington Post Senior Politics Editor Sam Stein debated the merits of such a nomination.

“There is no quicker way to tar your reputation than to do that. You can ask Judd Gregg who quickly considered being a congressman,” said Stein

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“It is a lifetime appointment, Sam,” Atler shot back, “If he goes on the court, he doesn't have to worry about it,”

“You would never… I mean, true,” conceded Stein.

Republicans have vowed they won’t hold any hearings on an Obama Supreme Court Nominee. The president says that will not stop him from naming one.

Senator Reid says he’d like to see an announcement in 10 days to get the process rolling. Reid says Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell in his words, “will cave.”