White House: Obama not picking Clinton for court

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama won’t be nominating Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to the Supreme Court.

The idea emerged today when Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said in an interview on NBC’s “Today” show that he’d heard Clinton’s name mentioned in connection with the upcoming vacancy on the court. Justice John Paul Stevens is retiring this summer and Obama is reviewing candidates to succeed him.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters today that Obama has no intention of changing Clinton’s job title.

Appearing with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy on the “Today” show, Hatch said only, “I heard Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s name today and that would be an interesting person in the mix.”

Hatch wouldn’t say whether he’d support Clinton. But he did say “I like Hillary Rodham Clinton” and said he thinks she’s done a good job for Democrats.

Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, retorted: “I think she’s done a good job for the country, not just for Democrats.”

Meanwhile, an administration official said Obama is considering federal appeals court judge Sidney Thomas of Montana for the Supreme Court, one of about 10 people under serious review. The Associated Press has confirmed the names of seven of them.

Among the others under consideration are former Georgia Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, federal appeals court judges Diane Wood and Merrick Garland, Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Obama is expected to name a nominee within a few weeks to replace Stevens.

The administration official spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made.

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