Updated 3:30 PM
WASHINGTON, DC (AP) -- The White House says President Barack Obama won't be nominating Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to the Supreme Court.
The idea emerged Monday when Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said in an interview on NBC's "Today" show that he'd heard Clinton's name mentioned in connection with the upcoming vacancy on the court. Justice John Paul Stevens is retiring this summer and Obama is reviewing candidates to succeed him.
Hatch didn't elaborate in an interview Monday. Appearing with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy on NBC's "Today" show, the Utah Republican said only, "I heard Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's name today and that would be an interesting person in the mix."
Hatch wouldn't say whether he'd support Clinton. But he did say "I like Hillary Rodham Clinton" and said he thinks she's done a good job for Democrats. Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, retorted: "I think she's done a good job for the country, not just for Democrats."
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Monday that Obama has no intention of changing Clinton's job title.
Said Gibbs: "The president is going to keep her as his secretary of state."
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