WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he's holding out hope that "cooler heads will prevail" and Republicans will back down from plan to block a Supreme Court nominee.
Obama says he's looking for a candidate whose credentials would earn easy confirmation in a less-heated political environment. He says he's also looking for a candidate with "humility," who doesn't make policy from the bench, and someone who recognizes the role judges play in protecting minorities.
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Obama has been narrowing his list of potential candidates to a handful of judges.
The president could announce his choice as early as next week, before he leaves for a nearly weeklong trip to Cuba and Argentina.
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