Gibbs: Supreme Court List "Expanding"

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, in the Oval Office, after announcing that he would be retiring from the Supreme Court, April 9, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama's list of potential Supreme Court nominees is expanding, despite the fact that the clock is ticking on appointing a replacement for retiring Associate Justice John Paul Stevens.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters at Thursday's briefing that aides are providing President Obama with options, and that any notion that they're "winnowing the list" is false.  "We're in the process of expanding that list and giving the president as many options as he desires to make a decision," Gibbs said.

The president will meet with a bipartisan group of lawmakers next Wednesday to discuss the vacancy and get advice.

Stevens announced late last week that he would be retiring this summer.