Shelby Weighs-In On Vacant Justice Seat

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic and Republican senators says they
hope President Barack Obama looks beyond the federal bench as he
considers a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice David
Souter.
Obama said last week he would be looking at potential nominees
who have empathy for ordinary Americans. The suggestion that the
next justice might be inclined to consider more than the law raised
concerns among conservatives that an "activist judge" would be
selected.
Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama says that if Obama
"will appoint a pragmatist, someone who is not an ideologue, that
someone is not just going to light all the light bulbs in America
on the left, I think that would be good for the country. He is very
smart. He is very careful. I hope he is going to be careful in this
appointment."
Shelby spoke Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."