Washington ? This might sound familiar: President Bush may decide this week on whom to nominate to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the court’s swing vote on issues such as abortion, affirmative action and religion.

The president is under pressure from conservatives to pick someone in the mold of Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. Democrats and moderates say Bush should choose someone like O’Connor, a centrist who is not a predictable vote for conservatives or liberals.

And many others, including first lady Laura Bush, say the president should consider diversity and choose a woman or a minority.

Despite predictions he would pick a woman to replace O’Connor, the president chose Judge John G. Roberts Jr., a favorite of Washington’s Republican lawyers, who knew him as smart, affable and conservative.

The choice could come as early as this week, after the Senate’s expected confirmation of Roberts.

The White House has signaled interest in selecting a woman or minority to fill the next court seat.