Obama confirms Justice Souter resignation

WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Friday confirmed David Souter will step down as a Supreme Court justice at the end of the court's current term.

Obama interrupted the regular White House press briefing to say he had just talked by phone with Souter about his retirement decision.

"Throughout his two decades on the Supreme Court, Justice Souter has shown what it means to be a fair-minded and independent judge. He came to the bench with no particular ideology. He never sought to promote a political agenda," Obama said, adding that he had thanked Souter for his service.

Obama said he would seek to replace Souter with "somebody with a sharp and independent mind and a record of excellence and integrity.

"I will seek someone who understands that justice isn't about some abstract legal theory or footnote in a casebook; it is also about how our laws affect the daily realities of people's lives, whether they can make a living and care for their families, whether they feel safe in their homes and welcome in their own nation."

Obama said he hopes to have a new justice in place when the court convenes for its next term in October.

Speculation on who will replace Souter has ranged from governors like Jennifer Granholm of Michigan or Deval Patrick of Massachusetts to federal judges like Sonia Sotomayor of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, who would be the first Hispanic on the court, or Diane Wood of the 7th Circuit, a former colleague of Obama's when he taught at the University of Chicago, The Washington Post reported.

One name on many speculative lists is Solicitor General Elena Kagan, who was confirmed in March. Kagan, another former Chicago colleague, was most recently dean of the Harvard Law School and has no judicial experience.

Most commentators expect Obama to name a woman or a member of a minority group to the court.