Berger Possible Obama Pick for Federal Bench

Citing "courthouse sources," the Charleston Daily Mail reports that federal officials have been interviewing colleagues of Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger, "a sign she will be officially appointed to the U.S. District bench in the near future."

"Berger, a circuit judge for 14 years, is expected to replace Southern District Judge David A. Faber, who assumed senior status on Dec. 31," the newspaper reports.

The article also lists several "rumored candidates" for Berger's replacement: "House of Delegates Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Carrie Webster, D-Kanawha; Joanna Tabit, a lawyer with Steptoe & Johnson and former deputy attorney general; Fran Hughes, deputy attorney general; and John Hackney, a judge on the West Virginia Court of Claims."

Update: U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., had earlier recommended Berger, and did the same for veteran lawyer and Democratic politico Ned Rose for a opening on the state's northern federal court district.