Obama talks to lawmakers on court pick

President Obama called two key senators on the Judiciary Committee today as he mulls his pick to replace David Souter on the Supreme Court.

Obama talked to Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who switched to the Democratic party last week, and to Orrin Hatch of Utah, who has already expressed some concern that Obama might nominate an activist liberal. Meanwhile, conservative Jeff Sessions of Alabama is in line to become the Judiciary panel's ranking Republican with Specter's switch.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, disclosing the early phone discussions, reiterated Obama's desire for the nominee to have real-life experience.

"I think the president described that there should be a diversity of experience. I am sure he will look at candidates for diversity in background," Gibbs said.

"But again, I think the president is looking for somebody with a record of excellence, somebody with a record of integrity, somebody who understands the rule of law, and somebody who understands how being a judge affects Americans' everyday lives." LINK...