[JURIST] Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) [official website] said Wednesday that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is a "qualified" candidate for the vacancy created on the Supreme Court by the retirement [JURIST report] of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor [OYEZ profile]. Senator Reid also came to the aid of President Bush, who defended Gonzales from criticism by some social conservatives yesterday [JURIST report], saying, "I think it's too bad the President has to respond in Denmark about statements from the far right." However, Reid did state that Attorney General Gonzales might not have "an easy way through" the confirmation process. AP has more. The Supreme Court Nomination Blog has a six part analysis on Gonzales as a potential nominee.