Reid: Obama Should Make Unconventional Supreme Court Choice

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he hopes President Barack Obama will make an unconventional choice for a Supreme Court justice to succeed Justice David Souter.

Reid on Tuesday paid tribute to Obama's past experience as a law professor and said he's confident he'll send a very qualified nominee to the Senate. The Nevada Democrat also said he doesn't expect Republicans to filibuster Obama's choice.

He said he hopes Obama goes outside the existing legal system and finds a former governor or senator, or someone who has "real life experiences."

Reid said that "I feel comfortable that his choice will be as good as his Cabinet choices."

Comments

[wilson27]

02:17 PM on 05/05/2009

Serious

[Leon72]

02:16 PM on 05/05/2009

The President should never, ever listen to any advice given my this weak-minded, inept Senate Majority "Leader".

[wilson27]

02:16 PM on 05/05/2009

Bill Clinton should be appointed to replace Justice Souter.

[weslenforever]

02:13 PM on 05/05/2009

What does Harry Reid know about "real life experiences" anyway?

[zizi]

01:54 PM on 05/05/2009

I suggest Hillary Clinton for the Supreme Court. Perfect on all counts. It will shut down the right wing noise machine and Republican congress critters preemptively vowing opposition.

[Raymond Flournoy]

02:11 AM on 05/07/2009

Hillary Clinton still wants to be President. Not a chance she'll go to the Supreme Court out of the spotlights.

[peskyliberal]

01:43 PM on 05/05/2009

I would give ten years of my life for President Obama to take the Ball-less Senator from NV in a backroom and beat the living daylight out of Reid.

I find it amazing how Reid only puffs out his chest only at Obama; yet coward if a Republican looks at him.

effin spineless SOB.

[colorperdaughter]

02:39 PM on 05/05/2009

well said.

[jurr]

12:40 PM on 05/05/2009

Shut up Reid, don't give the opposition an excuse.

Let Obama make a smart decision so when the Party of No protests, they look like stupid, again.

[sixx]

12:32 PM on 05/05/2009

Other than the entire Republican Party, Harry Reid is the last man I want influencing the selection.

[Newsmonger]

11:55 AM on 05/05/2009

So you guys knwow; the constitution do not define any qualification for a Supreme Court Judge; except that person must be appointed by the President.

Which means, he or she does not really need to have a law degree or be a lawyer or a Judge before.

Some experience is needed though

[colorperdaughter]

11:26 AM on 05/05/2009

Unconventional? What does that mean? A woman? A minority? Go f-yourself Reid, no one needs your 18th century assumptions.

[RickO]

09:46 AM on 05/05/2009

I nominate Henry Rollins.

[WVP]

10:57 AM on 05/05/2009

Nice... :)

[MerhabaAbi]

01:15 PM on 05/05/2009

He are what he is

[MiddleAmerican510]

09:27 AM on 05/05/2009

How about someone who WILL be concerned with "all those little details" in the Constitution"? It's not the job of judges to make law, but to uphold it.

[Denmark2]

09:26 AM on 05/05/2009

A civil libertarian to counteract the anti intellectual lightweights (Scalia and his side kick ) Thomas as well as the bigoted Mr. "Concerned Alumni" of Princeton, (remember that group!) Alito, would be nice. I am still furious with the Dems for not "Borking" Alito for the sake of the country. Killing Bork's nomination was probably the best thing they did in a while. If one looks at Bork's record, it is truly frightening.

[Grunty1]

12:01 PM on 05/05/2009

They got rid of Myers... Remember that joke?

[Grunty1]

09:24 AM on 05/05/2009

After 30 years of GOP picks, selecting a competent and dedicated justice WOULD be an unconventional choice...

[nicole473]

09:38 AM on 05/05/2009

co-sign.

[westreal]

09:22 AM on 05/05/2009

If he chooses a moderate I'm leaving the Democratic party.