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Obama considering five women for Supreme Court nomination: report

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] US President Barack Obama is considering six possible nominees for the US Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice David Souter, including five women, the Associated Press reported Thursday. This six names disclosed by White House officials are Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, US Appeals Court judges Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Pamela Wood, and California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno. Other candidates are reportedly also being considered. Obama met with several Senators Wednesday and told them that he would review candidates over the weekend, which has led to speculation that an announcement of a nominee could come early next week. Last week, conservative Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) was chosen by Senate Republicans to replace newly-declared Democrat Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) as ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sessions will play a key role in questioning Obama's nominee. Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has said that he hopes to have a replacement for Souter confirmed by the beginning of the Court's 2009 term in October. When news of Souter's retirement first became public earlier this month, Obama said he would, "seek somebody with a sharp and independent mind and a record of excellence and integrity."

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on May 14, 2009 (boomark / email).