Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., refused today to agree to Republican demands for at least 60 days between the nomination of a Supreme Court justice and the opening of hearings in the Judiciary Committee. "No arbitrary deadlines," Reid said after a meeting with President Obama to discuss the nomination.

But Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said he would work with Judiciary ranking member Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to work out an acceptable timetable. "I'm not going to drag my feet in the Judiciary Committee but I'm also going to make sure that everybody -- Republicans and Democrats -- [has] a chance to ask good questions." Sessions and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., were also in the meeting. McConnell said it was a general discussion, with no specific names discussed.