Hatch: Obama committed to 'pragmatist'

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, says President Barack Obama has assured him he will select a pragmatist to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A statement issued by Hatch's office Monday indicated that in conversations with Obama, the president told the Senate Judiciary Committee member that his choice to replace the retiring Justice David Souter "will be a pragmatist, not a radical," the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The newspaper said the White House wouldn't confirm Hatch's statement, simply saying that Obama was willing to work with both Republicans and Democrats on the nomination process.

"He vowed to consult regularly with senators in both parties to ensure an orderly confirmation process that will allow Justice Souter's replacement to be confirmed by the beginning of the court's next session," the White House said, referring to calls Obama made to Hatch and Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa.

"People on both sides of the aisle certainly respect (Hatch's) judgment," Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond's law school, told the Tribune. "He enjoys a cordial relationship with the members. All of that together means he could have quite a bit of influence."