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Supreme Court Nominee Announcement Expected

U.S. President George W. Bush has narrowed his list of possible successors to retired Justice Sandra Day O`Connor to a handful of candidates, indicating a possible announcement by the end of the week. Said White House press secretary Scott McClellan, "We have been listening to the views and ideas of members of the Senate, and the president will take those into account as he makes a decision about who should fill that vacancy."

Following Thursday`s confirmation and swearing in of John Roberts as chief justice - the president`s first pick for the nation`s top court - Mr. Bush is expected to announce his next nominee. According to McClellan, Bush advisers have consulted with 70 senators. Bush made a statement Monday of the possibility of a woman or minority member being nominated. Critics have urged the President to continue the diversification of the country?s highest court.

Those mentioned in reports as possible considerations include, Alice Batchelder, J. Michael Luttig, Edith Jones, J. Harvie Wilkinson, Priscilla Owen, Samuel Alito, Karen Williams, Michael McConnell, Larry Thompson, White House counsel Harriet Miers, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan and current Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (who himself had a harrowing time getting confirmed).