Who Will Be The Next Supreme Court Justice? Not Hillary.

Both The White House and the State Department are trying to kill the rumor that Hillary Clinton could be the next Supreme Court pick. So who is?

Sen. Orrin Hatch lit a fire under the rumors on Today this morning, saying, (around 3:50 in the video below), “I even heard the name Hillary Clinton today, and that would be an interesting person in the mix,” he said. Pressed by Matt Lauer, Hatch said likes Clinton and has “high respect” for Clinton, who’s done “a good job for Democrats.” (Senator Patrick Leahy jumped in to say she’s done a good job for the country overall.)

But a spokesman for the Secretary told Secretary Clinton is working incredibly hard as Secretary of State. She loves her present job and is not looking for another one.”

Today, two names have been added to the rumored shortlist, which already includes Elena Kagan, Janet Napolitano, Diane Wood, Jennifer Granholm, and Merrick Garland — all women except for the ambiguously-named Garland. Now, the AP reports that Sidney Thomas, a federal appeals court judge in Montana, is also under consideration. (Thomas is a guy. Ambiguous name number two.)

And ABC News’ Jake Tapper reports the consideration of Leah Sears, described as follows:

Sears, who will turn 55 in June, was the first female African-American chief justice in US history, and when nominated for the state supreme court by then-Gov. Zell Miller in 1992, she became the first woman and the youngest person to ever sit on the court.‬‪..A member of the left-leaning American Constitution Society, she is also a friend of conservative Justice Clarence Thomas.‬

Presumably the odd juxtaposition in the last sentence is an indication that some of her best friends are Republicans.

Hatch: Senate Will Quickly Confirm Qualified SCOTUS Nominee [TPM]
Crowley: Clinton Loves Her Job, Appreciates Hatch’s “Kind Words” [Politico]
White House Kills Hillary SCOTUS Buzz [Politico]
Another Name On President Obama’s Supreme Court Short List [ABCNews]
Source: Judge Sidney Thomas On Supreme Court List [AP]