Small, Seasoned Group Helps Obama Manage Supreme Court Selection

[IDemo]

By Scott Wilson and Robert Barnes
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, May 6, 2009

President Obama's first selection of a Supreme Court justice is being managed by a small group of senior advisers, and the process will last at least into next week before producing a candidate who the administration hopes will inject real-world experience into the nation's highest court.

Administration officials said this process will be careful and deliberative, even though preparations to fill a possible Supreme Court vacancy began even before Obama took office. The advisers are gathering recommendations from congressional leaders and determining what criteria will count most in narrowing the field of candidates to replace Justice David H. Souter, whose retirement creates the first of perhaps three vacancies before the end of Obama's term.

The selection of a small and very senior group of administration officials to help manage the nomination is designed, in part, to avoid the kinds of leaks that angered several Cabinet nominees during Obama's transition. It departs from a decision-making process that on other important issues has involved a wider range of people inside and outside the West Wing, although the circle will grow once a choice is made and the center of gravity moves to Capitol Hill.

As White House officials dismissed speculation yesterday that Obama could name a nominee as early as this week, Souter bade a sentimental goodbye to the judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit gathered in Philadelphia, telling them that a jurist's satisfaction comes "not in the great moments but in being part of the great stream."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/05/AR2009050503633.html

[applegrove]

1. Remember when Bush chose Harriet Myers? Boy we have come a long way baby. Thanks

to Obama.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Cool.

[babylonsister]

3. This is a major reason I voted for our president. I'm recommending, and gratified

he's taking this so seriously. He should, but I think this is his equation for handling lots of challenges. I can only marvel and be impressed.

[Aloha Spirit]

5. Totally agree. By the way during the general election campaign, court nominations were in

my experience the most effective way to push undecided voters to vote for Obama.

[babylonsister]

6. Yes, this is so big for Dems, and I'm sure we'll get some winners. nt

[usregimechange]

4. Thanks for posting this juicy slice of news

[AtomicKitten]

7. His solemn respect for this choice is really inspiring.

I guess it should be that way with all presidents and some may think it's gushing, but the last president was such a turd I can't help it.

[Muttocracy]

8. I hope they have someone from the IRS to check those tax records

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