Maine’s Republican senators encouraged special interest groups to refrain from political attacks and interference as the Senate goes about vetting the qualifications of President Bush’s nominee to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Bush used a televised address Tuesday evening to announce his choice of federal appeals court Judge John G. Roberts Jr.

Sen. Susan Collins praised his selection while calling for a “a timely confirmation process that is fair, thorough, and conducted with civility.”

“Judge Roberts is someone of extraordinary intellect, has a brilliant legal mind, and received bipartisan support when he was nominated to serve on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals,” Collins said in a statement.

Sen. Olympia Snowe joined Collins in calling for groups to allow the Judiciary Committee to proceed with an examination of Roberts’ record as the Senate determines his suitability to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

“I applaud the president for having reached out to senators from both sides of the political aisle leading up to this nomination this evening. I implore groups from every ideological perspective to respect the process and refrain from political attacks and allow the Senate to proceed with a detailed examination of Judge Roberts,” Snowe said.

Collins said Roberts’ nomination undoubtedly would be subjected to “an unprecedented media campaign from special interest organizations.”

“As senators, we need to remove his nomination from the arena of interest group politics and instead focus on our responsibility to evaluate his professional qualifications, judicial temperament, and integrity,” Collins said.

Maine Reps. Tom Allen and Michael Michaud, both Democrats, urged a thorough review of Roberts’ views.

Michaud said he hoped the president had selected someone who fits the mold of O’Connor, “who exhibited an open mind and rose above simple labels like liberal or conservative, fitting the independent, moderate mold that we Mainers admire in public service.”

“Above all, we must determine if Judge Roberts places extreme ideology over unbiased jurisprudence or if he will be a reliable steward of our individual rights,” Allen said.

Bush has said he wants his pick confirmed and seated on the bench by the time the court convenes for its new term in October.

Hearings are likely in late August or early September.

Roberts already has won Senate confirmation once before – he was approved in 2003 when the president named him to his current post on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.