White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod describes the interview process that led President Obama to chose federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, and why the president is confident that she is the best person for the job.
When Sen. Arlen Specter switched parties in April 2008, Sen. Jeff Sessions became the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, bringing a more conservative voice to the hearings vetting President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominees.
President Barack Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court - the first step in the often contentious Senate confirmation process.
In nominating Sonia Sotomayer, a federal appeals judge in New York, to replace retiring Justice David Souter, President Barack Obama called her an inspiring woman with an extraordinary life journey.
The process of nominating and confirming Supreme Court justices is one of the cornerstones of the Constitution's separation of powers. The nomination process involves a unique interplay of legal, political and personal considerations.
Judy Woodruff recaps President Obama's announcement of his nomination of Federal Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.
Following President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, a federal appeals court judge, to the Supreme Court, analysts debate her record and her confirmation road ahead.
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