Senate Democrats are asking President Bush not to choose a hard-line conservative to replace retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said the president should nominate a candidate "whose views are within the broad constitutional mainstream," as former President Ronald Reagan did when he nominated Ms. O'Connor. She was approved by the Senate unanimously.
Senator Ted Kennedy said Democrats will oppose a candidate who, in his words, wants to roll back the freedoms of the American people.
Mr. Bush and Senate Democrats waged an extended political battle earlier this year over several of the president's nominees for U.S. appeals court positions.
A Supreme Court nominee has to win a majority of Senate votes for confirmation. Republicans control the Senate by a 55-to-45 margin.
