Picking a justice: Precedents on choices for Supreme Court

— -- As President Obama closes in on a successor to Supreme Court Justice David Souter, his lawyers are combing through the records and backgrounds of possible nominees. They develop a "short list" and schedule meetings between the president and candidates.

Yet lists can expand and contract at the eleventh hour, and a meeting — or non-meeting— can change history. USA TODAY looks at some key moments in theselection process.