Obama to Talk Court Nomination with Senate Leaders

Obama to talk court nomination with Senate leaders

By BEN EVANS The Associated Press Monday, May 11, 2009 5:41 PM

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is planning to meet with top Senate leaders from both parties Wednesday to discuss replacing retiring Justice David Souter.

The White House confirmed that Obama is to talk with Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said last week that Obama was at the beginning of the process of deciding on Souter's replacement. He ruled out a pick being named this week.

Souter is retiring in June, and Obama wants to have a nominee confirmed when the next Supreme Court session starts in October.