6 justices to attend Obama speech Tuesday night

By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Chief Justice John Roberts will lead a contingent of six Supreme Court justices at President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech, quieting speculation that only Democratic appointees to the court would attend.

Roberts had objected to the partisan atmosphere at last year's address, particularly after Obama offered rare criticism of the court during his speech.

Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg confirmed that six justices would be present at Tuesday's speech, although she would not say which ones. But as three justices had previously all but ruled themselves out, it seemed a safe assumption that Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy would join their four colleagues who were appointed by Democratic presidents.

Justice Samuel Alito, who mouthed the words "not true" in response to Obama's criticism, is in Hawaii this week.