Specter Urges Delay in Replacement of
O'Connor at Supreme Court
Sept. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee
said he urged President George W. Bush today to delay nominating a
replacement for retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Senator Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, said he talked to
Justice O'Connor about staying on the high court. ``She's prepared to do
that'' through the court's term ending in June, Specter said. The president
``was noncommittal,'' Specter said. ``The body language was not very
positive,'' Specter said.
Specter said the delay would give Congress and the rest of America more
time to know John Roberts as chief justice. ``When we know a little more
about Judge Roberts it's going to be easier with the next'' nomination,
Specter said.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee said he urged Bush to
submit a name to the Senate promptly. ``I feel we should proceed with the
nomination as anticipated,'' Frist said. If so, the confirmation process
could be completed ``around Thanksgiving.''
O'Connor, 75, often a key swing vote on the Supreme Court, announced on
July 1 that she is retiring and agreed to stay on until her replacement is
confirmed. She has said she wants to help care for her husband, John
O'Connor, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Specter and Frist, together with Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of
Nevada and Patrick Leahy of Vermont, ranking Democrat on the Judiciary
Committee, spoke with reporters at the White House after meeting with Bush
over breakfast.
