Apparently adding a new name to his short list of potential candidates for a U.S. Supreme Court seat, President Barack Obama today reportedly spent a significant amount of time interviewing 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Sidney Thomas, the Associated Press reports.

It is the president's first known interview of a candidate for the seat soon to be vacated by Justice John Paul Stevens, states the article, which relies on an unidentified source. Vice president Joe Biden also interviewed Thomas today.

Meanwhile, officials in Washington, D.C. are gearing up for an expected "epic battle" over the confirmation of Obama's choice, whoever it may be, recounts U.S. News & World Report.

Additional coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "New Name May Be on Obama’s Supreme Court Short List: Sidney Thomas"

ABAJournal.com: "Obama Begins Talks with Possible Supreme Court Nominees"