Groups look for tea party support on nomination

By JESSE J. HOLLAND Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Conservative groups preparing to fight President Barack Obama over his next Supreme Court nomination are negotiating to bring in tea party activists, hoping their enthusiasm will help defeat any nominee they feel is too liberal.

The White House says it is considering about 10 people to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, including federal appeals court judge Diane Wood and Solicitor General Elena Kagan. A new name revealed Monday was federal judge Sidney Thomas of Montana.

Groups like the Committee for Justice and Judicial Watch say they are talking with tea party leaders.

They say they want to show tea party leaders why court nominations are as important as calls for limited government and less spending.