Alexander Bolton in The Hill reports that the word has gone out to conservative activists that Alberto Gonzales is off the table as a nominee. And, apparently the White House is definitely looking to replace O'Connor with either a woman or a Hispanic.

I wonder if there will be a backlash if he doesn't pick a Hispanic. It has been so public that that is what he wanted to do, that now he will seem to have gone back on an unspoken promise if he doesn't.

It shows how successful the Democrats were in keeping Miguel Estrada off the bench earlier. If Estrada had been on for several years already, he would be the number one choice in everyone's lists.

For what it is worth, Edith Clement's entry on Tradesports is skyrocketing.