Stephanie Cutter, Supreme Court | 05/18/2009 8:00 am

Michelle Obama's Ex-Chief of Staff, Stephanie Cutter, to Shepherd Through Obama's Supreme Court Pick

Current counselor to Treasury secretary will have big job coordinating campaign to get Obama’s nominee through the Senate.

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Stephanie Cutter will no doubt have her work cut out for her when she attempts to push through President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.

Cutter, counselor to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, will soon have a new job in the White House as the point person coordinating the confirmation campaign with Capitol Hill, the White House, outside groups and the eventual nominee, Politico reports. Cutter advised Senate Democrats during the confirmation fights over both of President Bush’s appointees — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. — and served for years as a top adviser to Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-MA, as well as chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama.

Even though it’s expected Obama’s Justice pick will be confirmed by the Democratic-led Senate, Republicans still could put up a fight. That means Cutter has to be on her game and prepare the nominee for whatever comes his — or her! — way.

Obama has been considering mostly women to take over the seat of retiring Justice David Souter. But FOX News reports that former Bush Deputy Attorney General James Comey has also been considered, especially since he has national security and law enforcement experience as a former federal prosecutor, and protested against Bush’s post-9/11 surveillance tactics.

Obama is expected to announce his pick later this month.

8 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

To pick a woman, just because, well, she is a woman is wrong…but I can’t believe that there are not super qualified woman who would be in the forefront.

On previous Souter replacement threads here, I noted that President Obama has alot of campaign promises/baggage he drags along with him. It will be interesting to see all the ‘identity politics’ groups jockey for position; and watch as they criticize candidates that don’t fit specific profiles.

Ms. Cutter is in an unenviable position.

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 05/18/2009 8:24 am

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Yes, Mary, she definitely is in an unenviable position. I hope her medicine cabinet is well stocked with headache remedies!

I remain concerned about the possibility of selecting a nominee who fills certain checkmarks as opposed to one who is best suited to sit on the bench. I’ll stay tuned…

By Green Tears on 05/18/2009 9:41 am

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"James Comey, the 6 foot 8 inch former U.S. Deputy Attorney General who, in March 2004, stood figuratively and literally between President George W. Bush and the recertification of a NSA domestic intelligence program while Attorney General John Ashcroft was gravely ill, offered both criticism of the Bush administration’s counterterrrorism policies as well as optimism towards Barack Obama’s early efforts at the Department of Justice, at an event Tuesday afternoon at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

In the speech entitled, "Can We Talk? Seeking Common Ground in Fighting Terrorism," Comey criticized the right wing – who he says used to be concerned about the size and power of the federal government, and should be aligned with the left who wish to fight the abuse of police powers and the infringement on civil liberties."

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2009/04/former_deputy_ag_james comey_v_1.php

Based on the above article James Comey totally fits the requirements necessary to fit into the Obama administration. He was against George Bush, criticized the right wing and is clearly a leftie.

I’m sure he is safely in the #1 slot.

By deber B on 05/18/2009 8:24 am

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I am sure Obama will pick a woman, too many men for far too long and we need another female voice! Stephanie will have her work cut out for her especially with the Reps as they are gearing up for a fight who ever he chooses, I think he could choose Jesus and they would object that’s how petty they are!

By caj p on 05/18/2009 9:15 am