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Trump floats Ted Cruz for a future Supreme Court seat

Trump made the pitch at an October 27 rally in Lubbock, Texas, though Cruz says he doesn't want to be a judge; there is no vacancy.

On air: Hank Ledger on The Five O'Clock
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▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger on this story, from The Five O'Clock at 4:27 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are USA Today's, the jokes are ours.

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What BBN said about it

  1. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorPresident Trump said at a rally in Lubbock that he'd pick Ted Cruz for the Supreme Court. There is no vacancy on the court.

  2. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMaurice Hatch is a lobbyist who says he represents the people for Cruz and the people against him. Maurice, how is that one job?

  3. Maurice Delacroix HatchIt's one job with two doors.

  4. Maurice Delacroix HatchSpeaking strictly for my client, the confirmation is a certainty. Also my other client, who says it never happens.

  5. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCruz has said he doesn't want to be a judge. He told the Houston Chronicle that in September.

  6. Maurice Delacroix HatchYes, and I've billed for that sentence. Speaking strictly for my client, the one who loves it, it's the most flexible no in Washington.

  7. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHe reportedly said it would be not just no, but hell no. Who hired you for that?

  8. Maurice Delacroix HatchA very concerned group of Texans. And, speaking strictly for my client, a very hopeful group of Texans. They share a fax number.

  9. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTrump says he'd pick Cruz and wouldn't have to worry about it. Cruz, in the front row, laughed.

  10. Maurice Delacroix HatchA laugh is a position paper. I have two clients who read it opposite ways, and they both paid for the reading.

  11. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTrump already floated him in July, at an event about Trump Accounts. Cruz turned down all three vacancies in the first term, he says.

  12. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo who is the lobbying for?

  13. Maurice Delacroix HatchSpeaking strictly for my client, the court. The court hasn't hired me. It will.

  14. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRating this one a hell no with a retainer.

  15. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMr. Hatch, you're on retainer for the vacancy, the nominee and the no. Who's paying you to be on this show?

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The story so far

  1. Trump backs Alaska lawsuit; court weighs AR-15 bans · The Hill
  2. Supreme Court faces Catholic preschool case and 13 more Trump… · The Hill
  3. Japanese kittens, Voting Rights Act, Clásico, a moon hole · The Hill
  4. Brazil runoff, court scandal, Brewers, Fortnite · The New York Times
  5. Supreme Court lets stand block on deportation pauses · New York Post
  6. Trump floats Cruz for Supreme Court; Israel's vote still unsettled · The Washington Times
  7. Trump floats Ted Cruz for a future Supreme Court seat (this story)
  8. Dolores Huerta dies at 96; Sandy Hook parents urge Supreme Court · The Washington Post

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