Republicans dig in on blocking Obama's court nominee

Republicans stood firm in opposition to an election-year confirmation of the president's pick, arguing that American voters should have a say in November and citing decades of precedence.

Yet, one GOP senator suggested that Republicans would be more willing to act if Obama were a Republican.

A source has told The Associated Press that Obama's top contenders include three appellate judges, each with a record of bipartisan backing and traditional judicial pedigree.

Obama said he is looking for a candidate who has the "necessary humility" and "recognizes the critical role that that branch plays in protecting minorities, to ensuring that the political system doesn't skew in ways that systematically leave people out."

On Capitol Hill, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley dug in on blocking all action on an eventual nominee this year, saying Democrats are only criticizing the strategy to score political points.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a former GOP presidential contender, said the fight is a product of Democratic efforts to block Republican nominees.