WWW- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales made a surprise holiday trip to Iraq yesterday, amid speculation that President Bush may tap him to replace the retiring Sandra Day O’Connor and become the first Latino Supreme Court justice.

Gonzales brushed off complaints from conser vatives fearing he’s too moderate on abortion and affirmative action.

“Many of the people speaking probably don’t have all the in formation about prospective nominees,” Gonzales, 49, said.

“What’s important is what the president of the United States thinks about me. That’s evident by the position he has asked me to fill.”

In Baghdad, he told U.S. civilians and sol diers, “You are not alone. The American people are very much with you.”

Afterward, he announced that Iraq’s government would accept help from the FBI in trying to solve kidnappings and other crimes.

Bush has said that he’d like to name the first Latino justice, but also that he’d want a staunch conservative.

The Senate must confirm his pick, and the Democrats have left the door open to blocking his choice by filibuster.

Another Latino prominently mentioned, Court of Appeals Judge Emilio Garza, 58, has questioned the 1973 ruling legalizing abortion, and thus could inspire more opposition – although the Democrats might find it tough to oppose the first Latino.