From Jan Greenberg in the Chicago Trib today:
Given the harsh reaction to Miers, the White House feels far less pressure to nominate a woman, sources said, even though the nominee would replace O’Connor, the first woman on the court and one of only two female justices. O’Connor, who announced her retirement in July, has agreed to serve until her successor is confirmed.
That puts the spotlight on Alito, whose philosophy, intellect and Italian heritage have drawn so many comparisons to Justice Antonin Scalia that he is sometimes called “Scalito,” and Luttig, a favorite of many legal conservatives and GOP senators. …
…. Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales, long believed to be Bush’s first choice, is not under consideration, the administration official said. Conservatives who ardently opposed Miers would be no happier with Gonzales, and he would face demands to disclose documents from his service in the White House, as did Miers….