In this clip from a 2009 interview with Steve Scully of C-Span, President Obama outlines qualifications for Supreme Court Nominees. A partial transcript:

Obama: I just want to make sure of is that any justices I appoint are people who have not only the academic qualifications or intellectual capacity, but also the heart and the feel for how Americans are struggling in their day-to-day lives. And also, an appreciation I think for how, even though, we live in new times there are some time tested principles embodied in our constitution that have to be respected....

C-Span: William Howard Taft served on the court after his presidency, would you have any interest in being on the Supreme Court?

Obama: [laughing] You know, I'm not sure that I could get through Senate confirmation.