WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama says he’s holding out hope that “cooler heads will prevail” and Republicans will back down from plan to block a Supreme Court nominee.

Obama says he’s looking for a candidate whose credentials would earn easy confirmation in a less-heated political environment. He says he’s also looking for a candidate with “humility,” who doesn’t make policy from the bench, and someone who recognizes the role judges play in protecting minorities.

Obama has been narrowing his list of potential candidates to a handful of judges.

The president could announce his choice as early as next week, before he leaves for a nearly weeklong trip to Cuba and Argentina.