By

CBSNews /

AP/ August 6, 2009, 4:40 PM

Sotomayor Treads Lightly On Gun Issue

Sonia Sotoymayor is seeking to reassure senators that she would not take any "preconceived notions" about gun rights to the Supreme Court if confirmed as a 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.
AP
14 Comments Add a Comment
linkicon reporticon emailicon
TheMasses0009 says:
Hahahahaha!

Gravy ...............
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
TheMasses0009 says:
Partisan hacks are not only blinded by logic, but are poor poker players.
reply
gravyboat4000 replies:
linkicon reporticon emailicon
I agree, they're way too emotional, especially when playing Texas Hold Em. By the time the river card is dealt, they're a wreck!
linkicon reporticon emailicon
gravyboat4000 says:
by agidoi July 14, 2009 12:02 PM EDT
why did obama nominate her, and vote againest her when bush nominated
______

Obama wasn't in the Senate when GHWB nominated her for the Federal bench.

Did you bump your head?
reply
cs4466 replies:
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Yea, agidoi sat down.
linkicon reporticon emailicon
stuart2020 says:
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
linkicon reporticon emailicon
stuart2020 says:
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
linkicon reporticon emailicon
stuart2020 says:
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!
=====================================

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
linkicon reporticon emailicon
sapphir8 says:
Who cares what she says, she is going to be confirmed because the right doesn't have the numbers to stop it.
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
PasadenaDave says:
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
linkicon reporticon emailicon
TryTakingMyMoney says:
Like Obama, she will say opposite of what she believes and plans to do. WHEN IS AMERICA GOING TO STOP BEING CONNED!
reply
IThoughtItWasFunnyNOPE replies:
linkicon reporticon emailicon
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!
jumkey replies:
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Elections have consequences. You lost.

Deal with it.
See all 14 Comments
Scroll Left Scroll Right