WASHINGTON

BUSH SAYS HE WANTS TO GET MOVING ON FILLING SUPREME COURT SEAT

President Bush said yesterday he would move swiftly to fill a Supreme Court opening, while Republican strategists said he is concentrating on female candidates and is close to a decision. Mr. Bush said he is still evaluating prospects and needs to talk with some face to face. But he also said he wants the Senate to be able to complete confirmation hearings so a new justice will be on the court when it begins its new session in the fall.

“My desire is to get this process moving so that someone will be confirmed – whoever he or she is – will be confirmed by October,” Mr. Bush said at a news conference with the prime minister of India.

Republican strategists and interest groups friendly with the White House are gearing up for an announcement within days. They believe Mr. Bush is focusing on a woman to succeed retiring Justice O’Connor, who was the first woman ever named to the court.

Among new names in speculation were Michigan Supreme Court Judge Maura Corrigan; Cecilia Altonaga, a U.S. District Court judge for the Southern District of Florida, and professor Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard Law School.

Mr. Bush was careful not to disclose too many details about his selection process. When a reporter said, “We understand you are now close to a decision,” Mr. Bush replied, “Well, thank you for telling me where I am in the process.”

– Associated Press

CRAWFORD CONFIRMED AS FDA COMMISSIONER

The Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of Lester Crawford to serve as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, an agency that has been roundly criticized in recent years for its drug-safety monitoring.

Lawmakers voted 78-16 in favor of the nomination. Mr. Crawford already has broad experience at the agency. He has served as acting commission for the past year, and he previously served as deputy commissioner. Mr. Crawford’s nomination had been put on hold for several months by lawmakers from both parties. The administration promised their concerns would be addressed, in particular those about an emergency contraceptive pill called Plan B. The administration said the FDA would decide by September 1 whether the pill could be sold without a prescription.

“Dr. Crawford is well-qualified to be commissioner,” said Senator Kennedy, a Democrat of Massachusetts. “He deserves to have full authority as commissioner.”

The most critical comment about Mr. Crawford may have come from a Republican, Senator Grassley of Iowa. “The systemic problems at the FDA demand visionary leadership,” Mr. Grassley said. “Dr. Crawford has not shown me that he is the leader to fix the FDA.”

– Associated Press

MIDWEST

TEEN FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER IN SCHOOL SHOOTINGS

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – A 16-year-old boy who prosecutors say smirked as he pulled the trigger in a school shooting that left two teenagers dead was convicted yesterday of murder.

John Jason McLaughlin faces a life sentence unless his lawyer can persuade a judge that the boy was mentally ill at the time. If so, McLaughlin could be sent to a mental hospital instead of prison.

A judge who heard the case without a jury found McLaughlin guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Seth Bartell, 14, and second-degree murder in the slaying of Aaron Rollins, 17. The two were killed in 2003 at Rocori High School in Cold Spring. McLaughlin was tried as an adult.

A defense psychiatrist testified that McLaughlin was suffering from schizophrenia and heard a voice that urged him to shoot Bartell, whom McLaughlin regarded as a bully. Prosecutor William Klumpp Jr. said McLaughlin might have opened fire because he had been teased about his acne. But Mr. Klumpp suggested it was more likely that McLaughlin was jealous because Bartell was popular, as was Rollins.

The defense argued that McLaughlin only meant to wound Bartell and did not mean to hurt the other student at all.

– Associated Press

WEST

SAN DIEGO’S ACTING MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER CONVICTED OF CORRUPTION

A federal jury yesterday convicted San Diego’s new acting mayor and a city council member of taking payoffs from a strip club owner to help repeal a “no touching” law at nude clubs, the latest embarrassment to a city awash in scandal. Michael Zucchet, who became interim mayor over the weekend, was found guilty of conspiracy, extortion, and fraud on his first business day in office. He was immediately suspended from the position, his attorney said. Council Member Ralph Inzunza, who was convicted of the same charges, also was suspended.

The jury also returned guilty verdicts against a former Clark County, Nev., commissioner, Lance Malone, who worked for strip club owner Michael Galardi to repeal San Diego’s ban preventing nude dancers and patrons from touching each other. The repeal effort failed. It is unclear who will succeed Zucchet, whose conviction leaves the city rudderless at one of the most troubled points in its history. Mayor Dick Murphy resigned and left office Friday, seven months into a second term cut short by mounting problems at City Hall.

– Associated Press