Conservative reports Gonzales "taken off the table" as Supreme Court nominee News
Conservative reports Gonzales "taken off the table" as Supreme Court nominee

[JURIST] According to a conservative source familiar with the nomination discussions, White House officials have stated President Bush will not nominate Attorney General Alberto Gonzales [JURIST news archive] to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor [JURIST report] on the US Supreme Court. Conservative activists had protested Gonzales as a potential nominee, criticizing his stances on abortion and racial preference issues as too liberal, while Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said he was "qualified" [JURIST report]. White House strategists have suggested President Bush may announce a nominee this week [JURIST report] and, according to the source, senior administration officials have told some conservative leaders that the nomination will likely go to Edith Jones [SC nomination blog profile] or Edith Clement [US DOJ profile; SC nomination blog profile]. Priscilla Owen [US DOJ profile; SC nomination blog profile] and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan [official website] are also speculated to be possible nominees. The Hill has more.