GOP Sen. Graham to Vote Yes on Sotomayor

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Sonia Sotomayor

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, said Wednesday he will not vote to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, but the first Latina nominee to the high court did win the support of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of the most outspoken Republicans to observe her confirmation hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The two senators announced their positions one day after Republicans requested delaying the vote to confirm Sotomayor for another week.

"Her life story ... is something that every American should be proud of, and if her selection to the Supreme Court will inspire young women, particularly Latino women, to seek a career in the law, then that is a good thing and I hope it will," Graham said, according to the Associated Press.

During Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, Graham said he would possibly vote to approve her confirmation out of deference for President Obama, since "elections matter."

Yet he also bluntly laid out his Republican colleagues' objections to her nomination. With respect to Sotomayor's past comments that a "wise Latina woman" may come to better judicial decisions than a white male, Graham said, "If I'd said such things about the superiority of a Caucasian made, I'd have had my head handed to me."

Kyl on Wednesday harkened back to that critique to explain his opposition to Sotomayor's nomination.

"I remain unconvinced that Judge Sotomayor believes judges should set aside biases, including those based on race and gender, and render the law impartially and neutrally," Kyl said, the AP reported.

Kyl was particularly critical of Sotomayor's comments during the confirmation hearings regarding the ruling she contributed to in the New Haven firefighters case, which was overturned by the Supreme Court. In that case, white firefighters said they were discriminated against when they were denied promotions.

"Her answers answered nothing," he said.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by riob678 July 22, 2009 11:24 PM EDT: Senator Graham and I rarely agree on issues. Regarding Judge Sotomayor, the senator is showing himself to be thoughtful as well as pragmatic. Good for you, Senator Graham. South Carolinians have taken a beating over the Sanford debacle. Maybe this will help them recover.; Reply to this comment


by pjk12354 July 22, 2009 10:03 PM EDT: I don't believe what I just saw............an honest-to-God Republican voting for someone based upon their experience and qualifications.........will wonders ever cease?; Reply to this comment


by mjad2003 July 22, 2009 5:55 PM EDT: Terrible mistake. When will these Senators stop playing "I'll let your nominee in if you'll let mine in later". Politics (poli -latin - many, a great number) (tics - English - Blood Sucking Vermin). So a lifetime appointment for a political far left radical to play the political game. Totally Shameful!; Reply to this comment


by hungry1968-16 July 22, 2009 5:43 PM EDT: Senator Graham also voted for McCain / Palin, Bush / Cheney, and I'd be willing to bet that he voted for himself and Mark Sanford too.

What an IMPECCABLE voting record!!!

ROFLMAO!!!; Reply to this comment

by ifonlybygrace July 22, 2009 4:23 PM EDT

Please remind me, when does Sen. Lindsey Graham run for reelection?
This will definitely be a career decision on his part.
SC Voter

Reply to this comment


by stn_sage July 22, 2009 5:27 PM EDT: Lindsey Graham's vote is the MOST hypocritical of any that will be cast!

He has spent the last several weeks doing little but bad-mouthing this nominee, acting to defeat her nomination, and NOW he announces HE'S GOING to vote for her?!

Obviously, HE doesn't have the 'courage of his convictions' as he tries to erase the memory of his negativity from the voter's minds by voting
for her!

I'm glad this scourillus, foot-dragging do-nothing isn't from my state!

South Carolians deserve better representation than he gives, but it's up to them to see that they get it, until they do, they're stuck with him!


by ifonlybygrace July 22, 2009 5:50 PM EDT: Thanks, Misha256
Pray for our state and for Jim Demint. He's a great leader for SC.
ifonlybygrace


by ramos1129 July 22, 2009 3:51 PM EDT: AZ has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the country. Unless Kyl does not intend to run for reelection, this is one of the most stupid moves he has ever made politically. The Sotomomayer issue ranks right up with illegal worker issue among Hispanics emotionally.

So Kyl, unless he intends not running again, has committed political suicide.; Reply to this comment


by afmcalax July 22, 2009 3:06 PM EDT: Remember Kyl is the Arizona racist that derailed immigration reform. He continues to play to his bigotry and to his supporters. Sotomayor is more than qualified. What rankles the Republicans the most is, for them, the Supreme Court is the domain of rich, white, conservatives who will ensure the rich stay rich; industries have no accountability; and personal rights are trumped by economic concerns. Graham is not much better; but he realizes that voting against her continues the Republican move toward political suicide.; Reply to this comment