Possible SupCo nominee shows no extra caution (Wood)

[usregimechange]

CHICAGO (AP) -- Supreme Court prospect Diane P. Wood asked the most questions and showed no extra measure of caution Wednesday as judges on Chicago's federal appeals court plunged into a dispute over alleged housing discrimination.

Wood, 58, is among more than six people President Barack Obama is considering to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter, according to sources familiar with Obama's deliberations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no candidates have been revealed by the White House.

But Wood showed no inclination to make herself a smaller target for critics by avoiding combat Wednesday, asking more than 30 questions at the 70-minute hearing, more than any of the seven other judges at the full-court session.

In the case before the court, the Shoreline Towers Condominium Association was accused of discriminating against condo owner Lynne Bloch by repeatedly removing a mezuzah - a traditional scroll attached to the front door.

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