Bush, Senators Talk Court Slot

Discuss Supreme Court Vacancy At White House Meeting

(CBS)  Mr. Bush has said that he wants his nominee confirmed and sitting on the bench of the high court when it resumes in October. Unless the president announces his nominee soon, that might be difficult to achieve, given that Congress is typically on recess in August.

"The schedule is something that we took up in some detail," Specter said. "There are some limitations as to August."

But Specter left open the possibility that the Senate could be called back into session in August.

"We're going to be consulting really with the leader, Sen. Frist, as to whether we want to pursue August," Specter said. "I think that it's difficult, but it's possible. And we're retaining some flexibility on that subject."

Specter took a shot at interest groups on the right and left, suggesting that they are "vastly overstating" their influence in the selection process and that, at times, their input is both "counterproductive and insulting."

Frist, who said he used the morning meeting to insist that Democrats treat Mr. Bush's nominee with respect, said the president and the lawmakers discussed both the confirmation process as well as the type of nominee the parties would like to see the president name.

"This consultative process is well under way," Frist said, adding that Mr. Bush and his advisers have contacted more than 60 senators, each member of the Judiciary Committee and that more than half or two-thirds of Democrats.