WASHINGTON, July 14, 2009
Sotomayor Treads Lightly On Gun Issue
Supreme Court Nominee Says She Would Not Inject "Preconceived Notions" Into Gun Rights Cases
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Sonia Sotomayor told the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday that "one of my Godchildren is a member of the NRA. I have friends who hunt." (CBS)
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Photo Essay Sotomayor Takes the Stand The Senate confirmation hearings begin for President Obama's Supreme Court nominee
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Timeline Sonia Sotomayor A look at the life and career of the newest Supreme Court justice.
The 55-year-old Sotomayor told the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday that "one of my Godchildren is a member of the NRA. I have friends who hunt."
But she also said that as a member of the high court bench, she would feel constrained by precedent, if the Supreme Court has already spoken on an issue. The high court earlier this year reaffirmed the right of people to own a gun for their self-defense.
Watch live video and analysis of the confirmation hearings.
In addition to gun rights, Sotomayor defended herself Tuesday against charges that her speeches and rulings show racial bias, telling a Senate panel vetting her nomination that critics had misunderstood her record.
"I want to state upfront, unequivocally and without doubt: I do not believe that any racial, ethnic or gender group has an advantage in sound judging. I do believe that every person has an equal opportunity to be a good and wise judge, regardless of their background or life experiences," Sotomayor said.
Sotomayor, President Barack Obama's pick to become the high court's first Hispanic and third woman, was responding to sharp criticism of a 2001 speech in which she suggested a "wise Latina" would usually reach better conclusions than a white man without similar experiences.
In her second day before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sotomayor said her background as a trial and appellate court judge had taught her to keep an open mind and not come to any cases with a prejudgment of the outcome.
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Add a Comment See all 19 Comments
- Hahahahaha!
Gravy ............... - Reply to this comment
- Partisan hacks are not only blinded by logic, but are poor poker players.
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- by agidoi July 14, 2009 12:02 PM EDT
why did obama nominate her, and vote againest her when bush nominated
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Obama wasn't in the Senate when GHWB nominated her for the Federal bench.
Did you bump your head? - Reply to this comment
- The longer she answers questions on race, gun rights, abortion etc. the longer her nose seems to extend. I wonder if she is related to Pinocchio?
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- At any rate, while the Republicans put on a show here to try and con their contiuents that they are doing their jobs (typical republican thingy) the confirmation of Sotomayer will happen. So this is all nonsense and just grandstanding by the republicans.
Again....they lose!! And I love it! - Reply to this comment
- doesn't matter real soon we will all be in a socialist country
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- Sessions is done! What an arse he is! He is just talking. No questions. He's like a lawyer leading a witness - totally objectionable.
The more time that goes by the more I hate the Republican fools. - Reply to this comment
- by TryTakingMyMoney July 14, 2009 10:50 AM EDT
Like Obama, she will say opposite of what she believes and plans to do. WHEN IS AMERICA GOING TO STOP BEING CONNED!
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Well...the answer lies in the vote last November. That was when America decided to stop being conned and the country threw out the republiKKKan, racist party. - Reply to this comment
- Who cares what she says, she is going to be confirmed because the right doesn't have the numbers to stop it.
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- Roberts Court: Biased towards BIG Business, Republicans, and against the common person. Time for some balance? Of course the NeoCons are upset!! She will be confirmed with about 20 Republicans voting against her. Rush and Newt still control some few conservative minds.
- Reply to this comment
- Like Obama, she will say opposite of what she believes and plans to do. WHEN IS AMERICA GOING TO STOP BEING CONNED!
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- She's LYING....flat out bald-faced lying...her record stands as read...she can't change it now...
She has stated 7 TIMES she can make better decisions than white males...
She has ruled in favor of communities being able to ban guns...
Pathetic lying old cow!
- Like Obama, she will say opposite of what she believes and plans to do. WHEN IS AMERICA GOING TO STOP BEING CONNED!
by TryTakingMyMoney July 14, 2009 10:50 AM EDT
That's the sound of one set of "Depends" getting used, right there.
- She's LYING....flat out bald-faced lying...her record stands as read...she can't change it now...
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
