Supreme Court nominee coming today or tomorrow (Balt. Sun)

[Nightwing]

Supreme Court pick is between 2 conservatives

WASHINGTON // Rebounding from the failed nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, President Bush is poised to select between two of the nation's leading conservative federal appeals court judges -- both experienced jurists with deep backgrounds in constitutional law -- for what promises to be a bruising Senate confirmation battle.

With an announcement expected Sunday or Monday, administration officials have narrowed the focus to Judges Samuel Alito of New Jersey and Michael Luttig of Virginia, sources involved in the process said. Both have sterling legal qualifications and solid conservative credentials, and both would set off an explosive fight with Senate Democrats, who are demanding a more moderate nominee to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

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Multiple sources said they expected an announcement Sunday afternoon or early Monday. The White House is eager to put the Miers' nomination behind it and shift attention away from the criminal indictment of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, for obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements.

More at: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.court30oct30,1,7724333.story?coll=bal-home-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true