AP Sources: Obama Has More Than 6 People For Court

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is considering a mix of more than six Supreme Court candidates that is top-heavy with women and Hispanics, a group that features three judges, a governor, his homeland security secretary and his solicitor general.

Among those under consideration are California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Appeals Court judges Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Pamela Wood.

Sources familiar with Obama’s deliberations confirmed the names to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no candidates have been publicly revealed by the White House. One official said Obama is considering other people, too, and that other names may be added.

Most of the people confirmed as under consideration have been mentioned frequently as potential candidates.

Moreno – the sole man on the known group of candidates – is a newer name to emerge. Obama is widely expected to choose a woman for a Supreme Court that has nine members but only one female justice.

Obama is likely before month’s end to name a nominee to replace Justice David Souter, who is retiring when the court term ends this summer.

By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)