Lessons learned shape Obama’s court pick

In this May 26, 2009, file photo then-Supreme Court nominee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, beams as President Barack Obama applauds her during a White House East Room ceremony in Washington to announce her nomination. Pick who you really want. Expect a partisan fight no matter what. Don't let your candidate by defined by the other side. Reach out to the other side even though you won't win them over. Enforce secrecy. Keep your own supporters in line. These are among President Barack Obama's lessons learned from the selection and confirmation of his first Supreme Court nominee last year _ and they amount to a roadmap to how he will choose his next nominee over the next few weeks. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Expect a fight. Enlist supporters but keep them in line. Protect secrecy. Reach out to opponents even though you can’t woo them.

Inside the White House, those are some of the lessons learned from the selection and confirmation of President Barack Obama’s first Supreme Court nominee last year. With a vacancy coming this summer on the nine-member court, those lessons amount to a road map for how Obama will choose the next justice – and what his team will do to get that person confirmed by the Senate.

The choice of a Supreme Court justice, with lifetime tenure, can affect American life for a generation or more, giving a president a reach that lasts far beyond his time in the Oval Office. Justice John Paul Stevens’ decision to retire after more than 34 years has given Obama a second chance within a year to shape the court.