washington president barack obama review brief document staff weekend potential supreme court nominees white house say friday tough political fight loom senate republicans fill pivotal vacancy white house arrange photographers snap picture obama carry thick binder fill paper walk oval office residence friday night ponder pick replace conservative justice antonin scalia die feb. 13. early day president first lady michelle obama pay respect scalia late justice body lay repose supreme court great hall president team course week spend lot time prepare materials president review would expect weekend president begin dig materials prepare white house spokesman josh earnest say earnest give clue obama might pick say lengthy brief materials include information potential nominees include career accomplishments experience court ideological balance power stake obama nominee could tip leave first time decades scalia death leave court four conservative four liberal justices obama phone senate leaders include republicans threaten block nominee make democratic president replace scalia obama make clear call two key senate republicans majority leader mitch mcconnell judiciary committee chairman chuck grassley nominate someone job earnest tell reporters mcconnell say seat remain vacant obama successor take office next january voters say selection choose new president nov. election obama also speak senate democratic leader harry reid senator patrick leahy judiciary committee top democrat earnest say reid say thursday speak obama expect president name pick little three weeks earnest decline discuss timetable obama decision say president staff yet provide short list candidates obama dig research potential supreme court pick