Did Obama And Granholm Meet?

By: Robert Hendin
Topics: In The News

(AP)

Did the President meet with Governor Jennifer Granholm about the Supreme Court nomination?

Long rumored to be on the president's short-list of potential nominees to replace Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court, all eyes on were on the Michigan governor today as she made an appearance at the White House.

While the governor and Harvard Law grad was there to talk about new fuel economy and emissions standards for cars and light trucks, the speculation was that she would get face-time with President Obama to talk about the Supreme Court vacancy.

The question today is, did President Obama meet with the governor about the job?

We don't know for sure, but based on what Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said today on the topic, as compared to what he said yesterday, you be the judge.

Yesterday Gibbs said this: "The president has not had any interviews as of yet."

Today, when asked by CBS's Mark Knoller if there was a meeting with Granholm about the court, he said this: "I'm not going to get into discussions he might have had related to Supreme Court or other issues."

Later, CBS's Peter Maer challenged Gibbs directly about his about-face. Here's the transcript:

Maer: Does your guidance stand there have been no face-to-face interviews?
GIBBS: I'm not going to get into that.
Maer: What's changed since yesterday when you ruled it out?
GIBBS: I've become -- I've become much more coy.
Maer: Much more....?
GIBBS: Much more coy…You know, I -- I think the president believes that this is a process that should be allowed to unwind with some privacy for all of those that may or may not be involved. And that as soon as he has a decision on who he feels is the person best able to serve on the Supreme Court, you'll be among the first to know.

When asked if we could assume that the face-to-face process has started, he flatly responded: "you can assume whatever you'd like."

So you be the judge: Did she get the meeting or didn't she? Only time will tell.

Robert Hendin is a CBS News White House producer.