This is 7th U.S. Circuit Court Judge Diane Wood. She is from Chicago (like me! And my mom! And the First Lady!) and today she is being interviewed by President Obama for Justice Stevens' opening on the Supreme Court.
Wood is a former law professor at the University of Chicago and served on the the Federal Court of Appeals since her 1995 nomination by President Bill Clinton. I like her a lot.
Here is why.
She is a woman. Not that I think any woman on the bench will be sensitive to gender issues (see: Sarah Palin) but, if she were chosen for the Court, she would be the only other woman on it besides Ruth Bater Ginsburg (who has had recent health issues). This would give the Court another female. Having lived as a female for 59 years can be a valuable asset to a Court which often decides on very gendered issues (abortion, equal pay). The current ratio of men to women is 1-8. So, room for improvement there.
Another reason I like her is that someone I admire very, very much likes her. Judge Wood is in a political category rarely chosen for the Court by past Presidents--a true liberal. She is a persuasive force with conservative jurists and has swayed the Circuit Court to her views many times in the past. This tenacity & charm shows that she can not only interpret the law fairly but also create commonality with her fellow judges. She is pro-choice, pro civil liberties, is protective of the Establishment Clause and comes across as very likable to others.
Win, win, win.
I acknowledge that, should be become the President's candidate for the Court, it will be a challenge to get her confirmed by the Senate. However, the Republican members of the Senate have already vowed to fight any of Obama's nominees, so tactically, it won't matter if that nominee is a bona fide progressive or not. Win!
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