Obama Says Quick Replacement For Stevens; Someone With Similar Qualities

President Obama says he will act quickly to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

Obama hailed Stevens as an “impartial guardian of the law” and promised to move quickly to nominate a replacement.

“We cannot replace Justice Stevens’ experience or wisdom,” Obama said at the White House after returning from a nuclear treaty-signing trip to Prague. “I’ll seek someone in the coming weeks with similar qualities: an independent mind, a record of excellence and integrity, a fierce dedication to the rule of law and a keen understanding of how the law affects the daily lives of the American people. It will also be someone who, like Justice Stevens, knows that in democracy powerful interests must not be allowed to drown out the voices of ordinary citizens.”

Republicans are gearing up for battle, as the focus will be on who the likely contenders are.

Leading candidates to replace Stevens include Solicitor General Elena Kagan, 49, and federal appellate judges Merrick Garland, 57, in Washington and Diane Wood, 59, in Chicago.

Others who might be considered include two Democratic governors, Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, and State Department legal adviser Harold Koh.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.