Obama Says Abortion Rights Important But Disavows Litmus Test for Supreme Court Nominee

Wash. Post: Obama Abortion rights 'very important' but no litmus test for court nominee, by Anne Kornblut, Perry Bacon Jr. & Debbi Wilgoren:

President Obama said Wednesday that he considers it "very important" that women be allowed to make decisions about their bodies but would not impose a "litmus test" on abortion for potential nominees.

Obama met with top Senate Democrats and Republicans to discuss the process of nominating a replacement for retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, who is stepping down this summer.

After the meeting, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said they had discussed "no names." But both said they had held separate, private conversations with the president about specific candidates -- which they declined to describe. . . .