EDITH BROWN CLEMENT? . . . Many are speculating that President Bush will nominate Edith Brown Clement tonight to fill Justice O'Connor's vacancy. Here are some comments from lawyers about Clement's judicial philosophy, as collected in the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary, Volume 2 (Aspen Publishers)--

Plaintiffs' lawyers interviewed said Clement leans toward the defense in civil cases. "She leans toward the defense side." "She is far too conservative--very pro-defense." "She is conservative." "She is pro-defense." "She is usually unbiased in civil cases, but she may lean toward the defense." "She leans toward civil defendants."

Most civil defense lawyers interviewed said Clement leans toward the defense in civil cases. "She is conservative in her judicial philosophy." "She is evenhanded." "She is unbiased in civil cases." "She leans towards the defense." "She leans towards civil defendants." "She is defense-oriented." "She is conservative--pro-defense."

Criminal defense lawyers interviewed said Clement is pro-government. "She is pro-government in criminal cases." "She is conservative." "She gives a fair trial, but she is pro-government." "She is more sympathetic to the government." "She leans towards the government."

These three paragraphs, each quoted in full, are from the 2004 supplement. They date from the time that Clement was a district judge. About her legal ability, lawyers had these comments, among others: "She is one of the brightest." "Her legal ability is at the top." "She is an excellent judge." "She is a very smart woman." "She is very bright."

UPDATE: Now that speculation is also turning to Edith Hollan Jones, I also provided some quotes about her in the next post.