WI: The Senate voted not to confirm Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court

What if Clarence Thomas’s SCOTUS nomination suffered the same fate as John Tower’s Defense Secretary nomination? Who, if anyone, would Bush for Marshall’s SCOTUS seat? Would any states vote differently in 1992?
 
Judge Emilio Miller Garza was the only alternative candidate considered by Bush. Depriving the Supreme Court of his only black Judge could mobilize black turnout against Bush: in 1992 North Carolina could flip to Clinton. Florida is an other possibility, although more remote (Garza could strengthen a pro-Bush Hispanic turnout as well, I guess).
In the Senate Wyche Fowler could defeat Paul Coverdell in Georgia and Terry Sanford get reelection against Lauch Faircloth in North Carolina. Other possibilities, although less probable, are Lynn Yeakel win against Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania and Robert Abrams win against Al D'Amato in New York. At end Democrats finish with a clear victory, increasing their majority by at least one seat (58-42). In the most successful case they would have a 60-40 majority, enough to break any filibuster. This could proved decisive during first legislative acts of Clinton Administration, as healthcare.
 
Judge Emilio Miller Garza was the only alternative candidate considered by Bush. Depriving the Supreme Court of his only black Judge could mobilize black turnout against Bush: in 1992 North Carolina could flip to Clinton. Florida is an other possibility, although more remote (Garza could strengthen a pro-Bush Hispanic turnout as well, I guess).
In the Senate Wyche Fowler could defeat Paul Coverdell in Georgia and Terry Sanford get reelection against Lauch Faircloth in North Carolina. Other possibilities, although less probable, are Lynn Yeakel win against Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania and Robert Abrams win against Al D'Amato in New York. At end Democrats finish with a clear victory, increasing their majority by at least one seat (58-42). In the most successful case they would have a 60-40 majority, enough to break any filibuster. This could proved decisive during first legislative acts of Clinton Administration, as healthcare.

Why would it backfire on HW? He nominated a black guy and the Senate said no.
 
Yeah, because his guy sexually assaulted someone, not a good publicity. Then the President nominates a not black for the only Supreme Court seat held by a black judge. He could nominate a black but he prefers Garza. I mean, I don't think black community will be so happy about that.
Clinton then is going to nominate a black to fix that: probably Stephen Lisle Carter will be nominate instead Ruth Baden Ginsburg. This could help Clinton to avoid the lowest black turnout in decades in 1996, flipping Georgia and maybe Colorado.
 
HW had very little black support anyway (for that matter, most black voters dislike Thomas). And even his opponents can't reasonably expect him to appoint a flaming lefty, which Souter turned out to be but we didn't know it yet.
 
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