Nine Republicans Back Sotomayor

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Sonia Sotomayor

(AP)

Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed as the 111th Supreme Court Justice this afternoon by the Senate. Sixty-eight senators supported Sotomayor's confirmation and 31 opposed it.

Fifty-seven of the 58 Democrats in the Senate backed Sotomayor; the exception was Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, who is battling a brain tumor and did not vote.

The two Senate independents who caucus with the Democrats, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, also voted for confirmation.

They were joined by nine Republicans: Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Sen. Christopher Bond (Mo.), Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine), Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.), Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.), Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.) and Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio).

Read more:

Senate Confirms Sotomayor to Supreme Court

Sotomayor Confirmation an "Easy One" for White House

Obama "Filled With Pride" Over Sotomayor

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by ladypirate2 August 8, 2009 3:17 PM EDT

by pasmalltown August 8, 2009 8:01 AM EDT
Every vote has it's "repercussions", that's politics. If you wish to over simplify it and use words like "cowards", "spineless", and "parrots" that's you pertinacious perspective on Ms Sotomayor's selection - and you're entitled to think what you will. But I still think passing such harsh judgement on politicians based on one vote is a naive, narrow-minded approach to the "world of politics", no wonder you and Sarah Palin see eye to eye.

I may be narrow-minded, according to you, but I am definitely NOT naive! I know a little bit about how the world of politics works! It's much like the world of business. One hand washes the other. Many a deal has been struck by one politician telling another that they will help them get the funds that they need for their projects if they'll vote yes on something they want. If you don't think that's the way it is in politics then you are the one that naive! It's not me! You need to grow up and get your head out of the sand and look around you! Politics is like business! They're both dirty and corrupt!

You also mentioned Sarah Palin. Yes I do agree with her! I also agree with her about Obama's health care bill HR 3200. She said yesterday that it's evil. I agree with her! It is IS evil! You would think so to if you knew what is in it! It's available online for everyone to read for free. I suggest you read it! Needless to say, I have emailed my senators and representatives and asked them to please vote NO on HR 3200!

Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown August 9, 2009 7:56 AM EDT: Once again your "passion" prevents you from reading my post carefully enough to understand what I actually said. I was not defending politics, merely stated that's the way it is - I never indicated it wasn't "dirty and corrupt". Having spent 25 years in Washington, D.C. I don't believe I'm naive, but "your ranting and raving" about the evils of politics, big business and the "cowardly", "spineless" nine is old news as far as I can see. Think what you will, but please, don't presume to tell me how to think about HR 3200 ("You would think so to if you knew what is in it!"). I do commend you on emailing your opinions about the bill to your respresentatives - about the only positive statement to your reply.


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by ladypirate2 August 8, 2009 2:39 AM EDT

by pasmalltown August 7, 2009 7:06 AM EDT
I must admit, your passion for partisan politics is amazing. To think they are now "parrots of Obama" for voting the way they exposes your paranoid side. Suggesting Obama has that much power across the aisle to sway them from their convictions is equally bizarre. And "I think they were afraid of the repercussions that would befall them if they voted no and afraid of not being re-elected." is a rather obvious statement. Is it not re-election that EVERY politican strives for? You cannot affect the course of political change if you're not in office, you can only voice opinion much like you and I are in these posts. And what of the Independents? Are they cowards,too? Did they vote to get re-elected or simply bow to Obama's wishes? Or did they vote their conscience? I can't pretend to know or care that much because I lack the desire to run for public office.... Suppose you think me spineless too.

Threatening them with repercussions would wield a lot of power! There is not a doubt in mind that they probably received a phone call from the high ranking democrats in congress and were told that if they wanted their bills passed and wanted funding for their state's projects they had to vote yes! Therefore they didn't dare vote no! And, yes, that includes the independents and everyone else who voted for Sotomayor! I sincerely doubt that everyone who voted for Sotomayor did so because they voted their conscience!

Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown August 8, 2009 8:01 AM EDT: Every vote has it's "repercussions", that's politics. If you wish to over simplify it and use words like "cowards", "spineless", and "parrots" that's you pertinacious perspective on Ms Sotomayor's selection - and you're entitled to think what you will. But I still think passing such harsh judgement on politicians based on one vote is a naive, narrow-minded approach to the "world of politics", no wonder you and Sarah Palin see eye to eye.

by ladypirate2 August 7, 2009 2:13 AM EDT

by pasmalltown August 6, 2009 9:55 PM EDT
To ladypirate 7:18 PM EDT -
"....change their party affiliation and become democrats" - Surely you're not suggesting they follow in Arlen Spector's footsteps(?) - Such a hard party line you take. What do you think the two Senate independents should do? Grow a backbone and say "I voted the way I did just to **** the Republicans off". Maybe they all just voted their conscience? Who knows for sure.

Needless to say, I don't think much of Arlen Spector either! If it weren't for the starch in their shirts there wouldn't be anything holding them up! I'm talking about all nine of them, too, plus Arlen Spector! They are all of them nothing but parrots of Obama. I don't believe they voted their conscience at all. I think they were afraid of the repercussions that would befall them if they voted no and afraid of not being re-elected. I think those are the only reasons that they voted yes. They are cowards and they are not about to stand up against Obama! I have lost all respect for all nine of them!

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by pasmalltown August 7, 2009 7:06 AM EDT: I must admit, your passion for partisan politics is amazing. To think they are now "parrots of Obama" for voting the way they exposes your paranoid side. Suggesting Obama has that much power across the aisle to sway them from their convictions is equally bizarre. And "I think they were afraid of the repercussions that would befall them if they voted no and afraid of not being re-elected." is a rather obvious statement. Is it not re-election that EVERY politican strives for? You cannot affect the course of political change if you're not in office, you can only voice opinion much like you and I are in these posts. And what of the Independents? Are they cowards,too? Did they vote to get re-elected or simply bow to Obama's wishes? Or did they vote their conscience? I can't pretend to know or care that much because I lack the desire to run for public office.... Suppose you think me spineless too.


by hockeybub August 7, 2009 12:32 AM EDT: I can't believe how Americans are so hung up on race. She's a Latino. Big freakin' deal. Obama's an African-American. So what? Bush and Cheney were white Protestants, but that wasn't the reason that administration was a joke...those two were just stupid, greedy, power-hungry jerks and you can find those types anywhere. Honestly, you people should join the rest of the civilized world. We got past this crap decades ago.; Reply to this comment


by aldon62 August 7, 2009 12:07 AM EDT: This lady has passed her trial by fire, now accept it and move on!; Reply to this comment


by Benton09 August 6, 2009 11:00 PM EDT: brettw508:

You're the kind of person they need in Xe (formerly Blackwater)...
fanatical idiot!; Reply to this comment


by burneb August 6, 2009 10:25 PM EDT: 31 out of 40 Republican Senators voted AGAINST her confirmation? She has one of the most unobjectionable track records of any Fed judge.

If the sitting Supremes had all been subjected to such nitpicking partisan opposition for the sake of opposition, few would have been confirmed. Bork was rejected, and Thomas nearly so, because of genuine and major deficiencies, not the bogus fear and smear Sotomayer faced.

Maybe if she had gotten any honest consideration from the GOP attack dogs (like any of them could withstand such scrutiny), we could have heard a more honest and open discussion of her judicial beliefs and analysis approaches. Hyper-partisan gotchas have turned judicial confirmation hearings into a farce.; Reply to this comment


by pjk12354 August 6, 2009 8:31 PM EDT: You mean...........nine Republicons actually voted for someone based upon her record & qualifications? What the hell is going on? White, racist, bigot Republicons who are actuaally starting to get a conscience?; Reply to this comment

by lovegetpeace August 6, 2009 7:38 PM EDT

Folks,

The KKK, Confederates, Southerners, Pro-Israelis and Evangelicals bases are getting smaller and smaller. The largest minorities are the Latinos which are almost 100% Catholics. Hispanics are on track to become the Majority of all races/groups before 2048 according to various statistics.

Soon or later, Republicans will have to beg mercy in Spanish to a Hispanic. I hope to be alive to see and enjoy that moment.

I feel sorry for the Republicans because they are in a no-win situation due to Tsunami Demographic changes under their noses in a Democracy.

Reply to this comment


by aldon62 August 7, 2009 12:05 AM EDT: Rowdy, are we on the same side on this one? Good for you girl!


by democracy1 August 7, 2009 1:09 AM EDT: by aldon62 August 7, 2009 12:05 AM EDT
Rowdy, are we on the same side on this one? Good for you girl!

Actually, Rowdy's LATEST nic is "UponFurther Review", LOL!