High Court Pick's Gender, Race Not an Issue: Poll

Americans don’t feel strongly that the next Supreme Court appointee should be a woman, Hispanic, or black, Gallup Poll results suggest: most say it’s a non-issue. Some 64% say it “doesn’t matter” whether the appointee is a woman; 68% say it doesn’t matter whether he or she is Hispanic; and 74% say it doesn’t matter whether he or she is black.

The percentage who say appointing a woman is “essential” or “a good idea” is less than the proportion who wanted a female appointee in 2005, when two justices left the court. The proportion of Americans who want a Hispanic or black appointee remain about the same. Still, many believe President Obama is likely to appoint a woman, and possibly a member of a minority group, because of either his personal priorities or the urging of some groups, Gallup notes.
(More David Souter stories.)