For the Supreme Court, the Obvious Choice Is the Likely One

The dynamics of the Supreme Court selection process are extremely favorable for Seventh Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

Several factors give Barrett a clear advantage over the other lead contender, 11th Circuit Judge Barbara Lagoa—the absence of outside influence campaigns aimed at swaying the administration, prior experience as a Supreme Court finalist, and an accelerated confirmation timeline that favors familiar names over dark horses. Lagoa has a chance to reset the dynamic at an upcoming interview. Two sources with knowledge of the process told the Washington Free Beacon that President Donald Trump will meet with Lagoa on Friday in Florida.

Sources close to the selection process told the Free Beacon there has been little politicking by the frontrunners and their boosters. There's a general recognition that that kind of jockeying would look unseemly so soon after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death. And the continued challenges of the pandemic are limiting travel and in-person consultations. Advocacy groups are making their preferences known, though their activities are muted compared with prior nominations.

Prospective Supreme Court nominees usually rely on a network of well-placed clerks and former colleagues to work reporters and White House back channels on their behalf. The process tends to be manic and highly publicized, which can prompt intense competition among longtime allies. When retired Justice Anthony Kennedy left the High Court, for example, Justice Brett Kavanaugh's loyal White House following kept him in contention internally against a revolving set of opponents, while former clerks on the outside circulated dossiers, spun reporters, and promoted his best judicial writings.