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WASHINGTON – Two candidates on President Donald Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees – federal appeals court Judges Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett – were singled out for praise Sunday by a top legal adviser to the president, indicating they remain prominent in the search.
Trump plans to announce his pick to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy during prime time Monday night. The president also has been considering federal appeals court Judges Raymond Kethledge and Thomas Hardiman.
Leonard Leo, who is on leave from the Federalist Society and has been advising Trump over the court nomination, said he assumes Kavanaugh, Barrett, Hardiman and Kethledge “are the four” who are getting the most focus.
“Certainly, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Barrett have a lot of name recognition among supporters of the president, and I think that ultimately, when people like them are nominated, you'll see a lot of folks line up,” he said. 


Leo said Hardiman of Pennsylvania and Kethledge of Michigan are “a little bit less known by conservatives. And their records are a little bit lighter.” He said that might mean it could take more time to generate the same level of conservative enthusiasm behind them. 
Trump said on Sunday he not made up his mind yet but expected to do so by noon on Monday, ahead of his announcement at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
“I’m getting very close to making a final decision. And I believe this person will do a great job,' the president told reporters before boarding Air Force One to head back to Washington from New Jersey, where he had spent the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster.