Political Hotsheet
By

Stephanie Condon /

CBS News/ July 24, 2009, 3:43 PM

Hatch, Cornyn to Vote "No" on Sotomayor

5161860Following Republican leadership, two more GOP senators announced today that they will vote against Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Friday they will oppose her confirmation.

Cornyn, whose constituency is one-third Hispanic, said he was announcing his decision with "regret and some sadness," while acknowledging the political risk involved, according to the Associated Press.

"Voting to confirm Judge Sotomayor -- despite my doubts -- would certainly be the politically expedient thing to do. But it would not be the right thing to do," Cornyn said in a statement.

He added that many of her public statements "reflected a surprisingly radical view of the law."

Hatch said he will vote against Sotomayor because he disagrees with her judicial philosophy, even though he voted to confirm her appointment to a federal appeals court in 1998.

"Although Judge Sotomayor has a compelling life story and dedication to public service, her statements and record were too much at odds with the principles about the judiciary in which I deeply believe," he said in a statement.

The two Republicans join Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and a handful of other Republicans who will vote against Sotomayor. A few Republicans in the Senate, however, have said they will vote to confirm the judge as the first Latina to sit on the high court, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Republicans requested that Sotomayor's confirmation vote be put off a week. However, they agreed they will not filibuster her nomination, essentially guaranteeing she will be confirmed.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
6 Comments Add a Comment
linkicon reporticon emailicon
abby0802 says:
Cornyn like many other Republicans are oblivious to the changing demographics, that the GOP's ideology is a failure, and that the "good ole boys" will no longer be able to control the country.

Ignoring Sotomayor's intelligence, capabilities, knowledge, and experience the likes of Cornyn only want minorities that are subservient like Justice "Uncle Tom" Thomas, M. Steele, and "torture is okay" Alberto Gonzalez.

Sorry, Cornyn -- your days are numbered just like the "good ole boys" days are numbered, and this very middle aged white female will be very, very happy to see them go....

Just one thing more --

Don't let the door hit you on the derriere as you go -- just go!
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
txlakeside says:
Cornyn ... adios amigos! And good riddance! You have just hung yourself! Thank GOD the dumb as dirt Texas redneck republiCONS are on their last leg and it is lame!
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
texbelle123 says:
Praise God! Since Judge Sotomayor WILL get confirmed, we can only hope that John I'm-an-idiot-Republican Cornyn will have finally seen his last days in office!
Way to go, John! Cut off your legs to support the Republican cause!
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
ramos1129 says:
Hatch is from Utah so I am not familiar with that state's politics. However, I am Hispanic and have voted in every election from dog catcher to President that I can remember. While not a fanatic voter, I do know this: Cronyn will win renomination but will lose in the general election. In the past Cronyn was able to win slender margains because he did sufficient Hispanic support to put him over. But, with this negative vote on Sotomayer, the Hispanic vote (as near to 100% as possible) will vote againist him. As of today, LULAC, GI Forum, La Raza, the various Hispanic Chamber of Commerces are all banding together to support whoever the Democratic nominee will be.
reply
abby0802 replies:
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Cornyn has to go!
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Al Oliver says:
They won't vote for Sotomayor? Who could possibly care? She's in. Their opinion doesn't matter. They've been marginalized by their own ignorance, racist attitudes, and laughable desire for the spotlight.

And most everybody knows it, except those few who share their antiquated. white male, me first views.

Go live in a cave hatch and cornyn.

Yawn
reply