Who Will Replace Justice Stevens?

Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, the Supreme Court's oldest member and leader of its liberal bloc, announced on April 9, 2010, that he will retire this summer. President Barack Obama now has his second high court opening to fill. Here's a look at the top contenders to replace Stevens.

Supreme Court Justice Stevens Retiring
Prospects are Kagan, Wood, Garland

Judge Diane Wood

AP Photo/University of Chicago, Lloyd DeGrane, File

This June 2008 photo provided by the University of Chicago shows Judge Diane Wood. The 59-year-old has a paper trail of opinions that appears most likely to generate sustained opposition from Senate Republicans and conservative interest groups. Even as she was being considered last year, conservatives cited her opinion in a 2001 case that went against anti-abortion protesters who wanted to blockade clinics. The Supreme Court reversed the ruling.

But she also has served for 15 years as a judge on the same court as two prominent conservatives, Judges Frank Easterbrook and Richard Posner. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is noted for its collegiality, despite ideological divisions, a point that could appeal to Obama.

Supreme Court Justice Stevens Retiring
Prospects are Kagan, Wood, Garland

Judge Merrick Garland

Judge Merrick B. Garland, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, is pictured before the start of a ceremony at the federal courthouse in Washington on May 1, 2008. Garland, 57, is a former high-ranking Justice Department official who is well respected and considered least likely to engender significant Republican opposition.

Like Stevens, Garland was born in Chicago. He has been a federal judge since 1997, including serving for two years with John Roberts before he became chief justice.

Supreme Court Justice Stevens Retiring
Prospects are Kagan, Wood, Garland

Solicitor General Elena Kagan

Solicitor General Elena Kagan speaks during a panel about Women Advocates of the Supreme Court Bar at the Newseum in Washington on Jan. 28, 2010. The 49-year-old, who has never been a judge, has made a half-dozen arguments in front of the justices in the past year. President Obama made Kagan the first woman to serve as solicitor general; however, 31 Republican senators voted against her confirmation as Solicitor General last year in what was seen as a warning to Obama should he want to put her on the Supreme Court.

Kagan would likely face questions over her objections to campus military recruiters at Harvard, stemming from her disagreement with U.S. policy on gays serving in the military.

Supreme Court Justice Stevens Retiring
Prospects are Kagan, Wood, Garland

Judge Sidney Thomas

AP Photo/9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Judge Sidney Thomas of Montana is also among the people being considered for the seat. CBS News' Jan Crawford says Thomas is appealing to some because he is a quintessential Washington outsider. He went to law school at the University of Montana and would further a populist storyline.

New Name on Short List: Sidney Thomas
Kagan, Wood and Garland Still Top Court List

Secretary Janet Napolitano

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is also under consideration for Justice John Paul Stevens' seat, but sources tell CBS News that she is not a likely candidate. Napolitano's comments that "the system worked" following the Christmas Day terrorist attack would give Republicans a chance to make the confirmation hearings about terrorism.

Kagan, Wood and Garland Still Top Court List

Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is also under consideration, but many don't think she is a likely candidate.

Kagan, Wood and Garland Still Top Court List

Leah Ward Sears

Also reportedly on the short list is Former Georgia Supreme Court Justice Leah Ward Sears, but she also appears unlikely to be chosen. Sears was fined in 2007 for violating state ethics laws for accepting improper campaign contributions. A nominee who was fined for ethics violations would be an easy target for Republicans.

Kagan, Wood and Garland Still Top Court List

Martha Minow

Martha Minow, the Dean of Harvard Law School, has also made the working short list of potential Supreme Court picks. Minow has been on the Harvard Law Faculty since 1981.

Obama's Supreme Court Short List

Judge Ann Claire Williams

Judge Ann Claire Williams, currently serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, is also on the short list. But the former teacher, prosecutor and district judge appears unlikely to make the final cut.

Obama's Supreme Court Short List