WA Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) will probably get the US Solicitor General job….

[ Governor Gregoire and Lt. Gov. Brand Owen ]

The moves start to fall in place….

Washington State’s Lt. Governor Brad Owen (D) would move up if Gregoire gets Senate confirmation…..

WA Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) leads a short list to replace Solicitor General Elena Kagan, the WH has told members of Gregoire’s home-state delegation.

Gregoire, a 2-term incumbent and a former WA AG, has been a rumored contender for other admin positions. But the WH has informed top aides to WA members that she is under serious consideration, according to several sources inside the delegation.

An admin official confirmed Gregoire’s name is one of those being considered. Gregoire endorsed candidate Obama just before the WA caucuses in ’08, offering a helping hand as Obama picked up two-thirds of the state’s delegates.

Gregoire’s appointment would elevate LG Brad Owen (D), a conservative Dem who has held his largely ceremonial post since ’96. Several more prominent Dems have been angling to run for the state’s top job in ’12, when Gregoire was expected to pass on a third term.

WA insiders put Rep. Jay Inslee (D) at the top of the Dem list. Snohomish Co. Exec.Aaron Reardon (D) and Rep. Adam Smith (D) are also mentioned as potential contenders. On the other side, ex-state Sen. Dino Rossi (R), who lost twice to Gregoire by narrow margins, is the most popular GOPer in the state, but Dem strategists are most worried about AG Rob McKenna (R), who covets the job.

If Gregoire makes the cut, she would immediately be in position to land on another short list — the solicitor general, who represents the government before the Supreme Court, is sometimes called the 10th Justice, and those who hold the job are often considered potential SCOTUS nominees……..

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