Treasury counsel to lead justice fight

WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- The adviser to U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner will direct the campaign for confirming the U.S. Supreme Court nominee, officials said.

Stephanie Cutter, a spokeswoman during the transition once Barack Obama won the presidency, will move to the White House to coordinate the campaign for Obama's first nominee to the high court, who will be the successor to retiring Justice David Souter, Politico reported Monday.

Cutter, a Georgetown University law school graduate, managed the Senate Democratic strategy during the confirmation fights over former President George W. Bush's appointees to the high court, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.

Cutter will manage the campaign process and can be expected to coordinate with Capitol Hill, the nominee, the White House counsel's office and outside groups, the Washington publication said.

Congressional Democratic officials said they don't expect a nomination until after the Memorial Day weekend.