Supreme Wish List: Pragmatist, Easy to Confirm, 'Home Run'

New justice will be key to defining prez limits

(NEWSER) - Most Supreme Court watchers say that Barack Obama's choice to succeed David Souter will change little, since the retiring justice was a reliable member of the court's liberal bloc. But on critical questions of presidential power, which Souter regularly sought to check, the new justice's vote could be crucial. Obama's top court candidates have widely differing views about the role of the executive, reports the New York Times . More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama has narrowed his list of Supreme Court picks to at least six names, with women in five of the top spots, reports CNN. Obama is expected to make a selection by Memorial Day, sources say. Among the finalists: Federal appeals court judges Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Wood; Solicitor General Elena Kagan; Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano; Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm; and California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno. More»

Expect a woman from outside appeals circuit

(NEWSER) - With everyone attempting to predict President Obama's thinking on a nominee to replace David Souter on the Supreme Court, CBS News makes two observations. The White House has dropped hints that it wants someone who is not a federal appeals court judge—as all nine current justices once were. And the president will very likely choose a woman to join Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the bench. More»

Both in DC; sources say Obama began interviews with Wood

(NEWSER) - The Washington rumor mill is focusing on two names as President Obama steps up the search for a Supreme Court nominee, the Washington Post reports. Federal Appeals Court Judge Diane Wood visited the capital Tuesday, ostensibly to attend a judicial conference, but insiders say she met with the president for an interview, the first of several Obama plans with nominees in coming days. More»

Federal judge ended strike to save '95 season

(NEWSER) - Most federal judges live anonymous lives, but for a moment in 1995, Sonia Sotomayor was the toast of the town. That was the year Sotomayor ended baseball’s players strike, saving the ’95 season. The Philadelphia Inquirer declared her a baseball hero on par with DiMaggio, Robinson, Mays, and Williams. Now, she’s near the top of President Obama’s shortlist to replace David Souter, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»