From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Who should be next for the U.S. Supreme Court?

Hello again, I'm Warren Alney, and this is To the Poet from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

David Souter's

resignation gives President Obama his first chance to nominate a Supreme Court justice. He wants

excellence, integrity, and empathy. Does empathy mean that he wants a woman? And if so, why?

Conservatives fear he wants a justice who will legislate from the bench. Should the next

justice be liberal or conservative?

Is there any such thing as non-ideological?

Is it time for the first Hispanic?

Whatever Obama's choice might be, will Republicans just say no?

On reporter's notebook later on, Pope Benedict the 16th visits the Middle East.

First, here's the news.

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International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur

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dedicated to the common good. Learn more at scowl.org.

Hello again, Warren Alney, back with To the Point. Liberal or moderate, man or woman, black, white,

or brown.

Should the next Supreme Court justice have judicial experience or a record of service in other branches of government?

We'll hear different opinions as President Obama gets ready to pick his first nominee.

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