Senators: Pick Next Justice From Outside Judiciary.

[elleng]

President Barack Obama's search to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter should extend beyond the current roster of federal judges, senators from both political parties said Sunday.

''I would like to see more people from outside the judicial monastery, somebody who has had some real-life experience, not just as a judge,'' said Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will hold hearings when Obama makes his nomination.

Noting that all nine justices came directly from the federal appeals court, senators on the committee said someone with a wider breadth of experience would be a plus.

http://nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/03/us/politics/AP-US-Scotus-Senate.html

[depakid]

1. A noted scholar would be a fine choice

Though that's not what most of these Senators are talking about...

[w4rma]

2. I would also prefer a scholar. (nt)

[Skidmore]

3. A constitutional scholar.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. Erwin Chemerinsky. n/t