Liberals Concerned About Sotomayor's Abortion Views

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Sonia Sotomayor

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

While it so far appears Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor will have a relatively smooth confirmation process, some liberal activists are just as jittery as their conservative counterparts about Sotomayor's stance on key wedge issues like abortion.

Pro-abortion rights groups are concerned about the fact that Sotomayor's judicial record does not reveal much about her position on abortion rights or the right to privacy. Not once in her 11 years as a federal appeals court judge has Sotomayor addressed the issue of abortion rights directly -- though in related cases, she has sided with both pro-abortion rights groups and anti-abortion rights groups.

"We simply don't know Judge Sotomayor's view on the bedrock constitutional case of Roe v. Wade," Nancy Northup, the president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, told CBS News Supreme Court correspondent Wyatt Andrews on Wednesday night.

Northup's organization sent an e-mail to its supporters, urging them to pressure the Senate to get answers from Sotomayor on her views.

NARAL Pro-Choice America sent out a similar message, the New York Times reports.

"Discussion about Roe v. Wade will — and must — be part of this nomination process," Nancy Keenan, president of Naral Pro-Choice America, wrote in a letter to the group's supporters. "As you know, choice hangs in the balance on the Supreme Court as the last two major choice-related cases were decided by a 5-to-4 margin."

Sotomayor's related rulings do not necessarily indicate where she falls on the issue. For instance, she ruled for renewed consideration of asylum claims from Chinese immigrants battling deportation orders on the grounds that China's policy of forcing women to have abortions for the purpose of population-control amounts to persecution.

In her opinion for Center for Reproductive Law and Policy v. Bush, Sotomayor denied a claim from an abortion rights group arguing that a Bush administration policy violated its First Amendment, due process, and equal protection rights. The "Mexico City Policy" prohibited foreign organizations receiving U.S. funds from performing or supporting abortions. In her opinion, she said the government "is free to favor the anti-abortion position over the pro-choice position" with public funds.

White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday Mr. Obama did not ask Sotomayor specifically about her position on abortion.

"What we know about her we like, but I don't know the answer on abortion rights," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Liberal concerns with Sotomayor's views extend beyond the issue of abortion.

Kevin Cathcart, executive director of the gay advocacy group Lambda Legal, is also asking the Senate to carefully scrutinize Sotomayor's record, the Politico reports, as other liberal activists weigh in as well.

"She is a mixed bag," Marjorie Cohn, president of the progressive National Lawyers Guild, said in an interview on Air America. "I'm thrilled that there will be the first Latina on the Supreme Court and that there will be another woman. But I really would have liked to have seen a real progressive counterweight to radical rightists on the court."

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by starleo146 May 28, 2009 9:34 PM EDT: What will it take for you to look around and see what the heck is going on, and you have to insult an insult is there not enough bad in this world with North Korea, Iran, Palestine Israel bad economy what are you doing to make America better. You know we deserve everything we get not one constructive thing has come out of the republicans since day 1. Please don't follow, lead ok; Reply to this comment


by ToolMangler1 May 28, 2009 9:31 PM EDT: Where is it that it says God reserves the right to impregnate anyone at any time?
Posted by curb_global_warming_now at 6:18 PM : May 28,

In the book of Genesis, Gen. 1: 1
"In the beginning GOD created the Heavens and the Earth"

Since he made it, He owns it and everything and everyone in it. That gives him exclusive right to do what he will. If you disagree, take your grievence to GOD. Since I am not GOD, get out of my face about your displeasure.; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 May 28, 2009 8:53 PM EDT: what is it with these republicans? Are they angry with the world or what gheeze get over it. Your dirty mouths and politics will just drag you further and further in the toilet; Reply to this comment


by ToolMangler1 May 28, 2009 8:12 PM EDT: Is yours the "unwilling" kind of stupidity?
Posted by curb_global_warming_now at 5:01 PM : May 28

Tell you what Rowdy, 'You' decide while you read this. Ooooopps. I forgot, you don't read..do you!!!!

"I asked God to take away
My habit.

God said, No.

It is not for me to take away,
But for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.

God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.

God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
It isn't granted, it is learned.

I ask ed God to give me happiness.

God said, No..

I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from
Worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things
That I might enjoy life.

God said, No.
I will give you life,
So that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me
God said...Ahhhh,
Finally you have the idea. "; Reply to this comment


by ToolMangler1 May 28, 2009 7:55 PM EDT: This is what they always say when they're out of power -- "They all 'equally' bad."
Posted by curb_global_warming_now at 4:25 PM : May 28

Rowdy, I didn't recognize you at first. Good disguise...; Reply to this comment


by ToolMangler1 May 28, 2009 7:41 PM EDT: Bitter. You seem bitter. Plus, it doesn't sound like you're playing with a full deck.
Posted by curb_global_warming_now at 4:19 PM : May 28,

Not a bitter bone in my body, but I have no time for willing stupidity.; Reply to this comment


by ToolMangler1 May 28, 2009 7:22 PM EDT: Please make a note of this. Before this is over,
Sotomayer will not be confirmed...........................
Posted by Mr_2258-007 at 3:58 PM : May 28, 2009

It is a possibility, They may decide to "Bork" her nomination. We may lose again. I have contempt for most politicians because regardless of how they start out, they end up liars and thieves and we end up losers........; Reply to this comment


by ToolMangler1 May 28, 2009 7:07 PM EDT: I'm not even going back to check because I already know what a outright liar you are.
Posted by curb_global_warming_now at 3:34 PM : May 28

Omnipotence is awesome, isn't it!!! never met me, but you know all about me. LOLOL.
First off, I wasn't talking to you (unless you are hungry1968 in disguise) How did you get into our tete a' tete? Also, it would be wise to check up on me by reading more than a few posts.; Reply to this comment


by ToolMangler1 May 28, 2009 6:06 PM EDT: (Hint: If you don't want to get called on the BS known as "your religion", then keep your bizarre religious thoughts to yourself!!)
Posted by hungry1968-15 at 2:58 PM : May 28, 2009

You go back and re-read this comment forum and tell 'me' who first brought up religion... I didn't, you did!!!! I haven't pushed any (religious) view on you in this commentary. If you have the freedom to belittle me about (your interpretation) of my beliefs, then I should have equal right to respond in kind.; Reply to this comment


by hungry1968-15 May 28, 2009 5:58 PM EDT: My answer is, If 'you' know the Bible, why do you write as if you are clueless? I will not go down the path you want me to because you are a troll and I am not. I would enjoy discussion but in this case I am speaking to dead air, hence, nothing to discuss.
Posted by ToolMangler1 at 2:55 PM : May 28, 2009

YOU made a statement.

I asked you a question REGARDING that statement.

What's "trollish" about that?

(Hint: If you don't want to get called on the BS known as "your religion", then keep your bizarre religious thoughts to yourself!!); Reply to this comment