WASHINGTON AP – The top Republican in the Senate served notice on President Barack Obama Tuesday that the GOP won’t rubber-stamp his choice to succeed the retiring Justice David Souter.

“The president is free to nominate whomever he likes,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said. “But picking judges based on his or her perceived sympathy for certain groups or individuals undermines the faith Americans have in our judicial system.”