ConfirmThem

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The Chicago Tribune reports:

Senior White House officials and Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales have interviewed top candidates and briefed President Bush, but the president has not made a decision, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

White House officials also consider Gonzales to be a possible nominee, according to the official and other sources close to the administration. But the focus has been on the other judges, leaving Gonzales in a separate category because of the president's longstanding familiarity with him, the official said.

Gonzales, 49, would meet fierce opposition from the conservative groups that see him as too moderate to replace the conservative Rehnquist.
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But officials are not ranking the contenders or making recommendations to the president because they are "serious about being respectful to the chief [justice]," the official said.
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Sources close to the White House said McConnell and Pryor are long shots.

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Here are some top contenders.

SAMUEL ALITO

Federal appeals court judge in Philadelphia is called "Scalito" because he shares Justice Antonin Scalia's conservative views, though not his sharp elbows.

ALBERTO GONZALES

As attorney general, he has been part of the vetting process, but he may be the favorite.

Bush is reported to like the idea of the "Gonzales Court."

J. MICHAEL LUTTIG

Federal appeals court judge from Virginia is known for his sharp intellect and crisp writing. Bush's father put him on the appeals court.

JOHN ROBERTS

Appeals court judge for the D.C. circuit was considered one of the top appellate lawyers to argue before the Supreme Court.

The article also mentions that Judge Wilkinson is under consideration. Judges McConnell and Wilkinson have great jobs on the circuit courts, and it would be very unfortunate if either of them were to leave. Likewise, Alberto Gonzales is doing great work as Attorney General, and he absolutely ought to keep at it until January of 2009. Of those mentioned, I like Pryor, Luttig, and Alito in that order, but I don't know enough about Roberts. That's my opinion. And why aren't Judges Garza or Jones on the short list? Meanwhile, the conservative group Progress for America is beginning Supreme Court ads on July 1. More info about each of the SCOTUS candidates is linked at the right side of the confirmthem home page.