Sensenbrenner predicts fight over Obama Supreme Court nomination

Republicans should keep every option on the table as they weigh President Obama's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner said Friday.

Sensenbrenner, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, said he expects anyone Obama nominates to replace Justice David Souter to face a tough fight with Senate Republicans.

Many in the GOP complained when Dems threatened to filibuster various judicial nominations forwarded to the Senate by President Bush. Still, Sensenbrenner said the GOP should not spurn that option.

"The shoe is on the other foot now," Sensenbrenner said.

Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, also said Dems will now learn what Republicans have known for years -- Sen. Arlen Specter is not a reliable vote.

He also said the GOP remained a big tent party and said there was plenty of room for moderates like U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine who were willing to do the necessary work to succeed in a Republican primary as well as a general election.

"Sen. Specter chose not to do that and ended up paying the price," Sensenbrenner said.

Listen to the interview.


-- By JR Ross