Senate Panel Approves Sotomayor

Supreme Court Nomination Now Heads to Full Senate; Only One Republican Voted for Obama's Pick

(CBS/AP)  Updated 2:11 p.m. ET

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted to approve Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice over nearly solid Republican opposition, sending the nomination to the Senate floor for a historic confirmation vote.

The panel voted 13-6 in favor of Sotomayor, with just one Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham, joining Democrats to support her. The nearly party-line tally masked deeper political divisions within Republican ranks about confirming President Barack Obama's first high court nominee.

"I'm deciding to vote for a woman I would not have chosen," Graham said. Mr. Obama's choice to nominate the first-ever Latina to the highest court is "a big deal," he added, declaring that, "America has changed for the better with her selection."

The solid Republican vote against Sotomayor on the Judiciary panel reflected the choice many party conservatives have made to side with their core supporters and oppose a judge they charge will bring liberal bias and racial and gender prejudices to her decisions. Others in the party, however, are concerned that doing so could hurt their efforts to broaden their base, and particularly alienate Hispanic voters, a fast-growing segment of the U.S. electorate.

"The vote went precisely as anticipated," said CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen after the vote. "The Democrats were able to use their huge advantage in numbers to push her through with ease to the full Senate. In fact, some Republicans on the Committee weren't even present to vote but instead voted by proxy. And two veteran Committee Republicans, Senators Hatch and Grassley, who almost always vote yes for Supreme Court nominees, voted no this time." (Read Cohen's column on Sen. Grassley.)

Democrats, for their part, are lining up solidly in favor of the 55-year-old federal appeals court judge, the daughter of Puerto Rican parents who was raised in a poor New York housing project and educated at prestigious universities.

"There's not one example - let alone a pattern - of her ruling based on bias or prejudice or sympathy," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Democrat and the Judiciary Committee chairman. "She has administered justice without favoring one group of persons over another."

The senior Republican, Sen. Jeff Sessions, countered that Sotomayor's speeches and a few of her rulings show she would let her opinions interfere in decisions.

"In speech after speech, year after year, Judge Sotomayor set forth a fully formed, I believe, judicial philosophy that conflicts with the great American tradition of blind justice and fidelity to the law as written," Sessions said.

But even Sessions acknowledged the landmark nature of Sotomayor's nomination, in a remark that revealed just how certain he is that he will end up on the losing side of next week's vote.

"I think all of us feel that it's a good thing that we have a Hispanic on the Supreme Court," he said minutes after the Judiciary Committee vote.

Sotomayor is not expected to tip the court's ideological balance, since she's replacing Justice David Souter, a liberal nominated by a Republican president. "She can be no worse than Souter from our point of view," Graham remarked.

Republicans pointed with particular concern to Sotomayor's record on gun and property rights, as well as a much-discussed rejection by her appeals court panel of the reverse discrimination claims of white firefighters who were denied promotions.

The National Rifle Association is opposing Sotomayor and took the extraordinary step last week of warning senators last week that it would include senators' votes on her confirmation in its annual candidate ratings, meaning a "yes" vote would hurt their grade. It's the first time

"Some of her decisions demonstrated the kind of results-oriented decision-making, one that suggests perhaps a liberal judicial activism that is too often steered the court in the wrong direction over the last years," said Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican.

And every Republican senator alluded critically to the now-infamous remark Sotomayor made in 2001 that she hoped a "wise Latina woman" would often reach better conclusions than a white male without similar experiences.

Sotomayor dismissed the comments during her confirmation hearings as a rhetorical flourish gone awry, a defense that rang hollow with many of her critics.

"I regret that I cannot vote for her ... not she's a Latina woman (or) because she said all those things, (but) because she wouldn't defend what she said, and stand up and say, 'I really believe this, but I can still be a great judge anyway, because I will never let that interfere with my judging,'" said Sen. Tom Coburn, a Republican.

[ladypirate2]

When Sotomayor is elected you hunters out there might as well get ready to give up your rifles and shotguns because when she's elected the first thing she'll do is do away with your right to bear arms!

[ladypirate2]

Senator Coburn of Oklahoma said weeks ago that he would vote no on her nomination. He is a man of his word. He did exactly that even if he did vote by proxy. We need more like him in the senate!

[Newster1]

Great!
I remember when king george the last tried to foist his friend that Harriet Meyers dork on us, oh boy was that a total BOMB LOL

[lorinkundert]

One step closer to the Gulag, better watch the Constitution closely and arm up.

[txlakeside]

And the Hispanic voters will remember come 2010. Dumb as dirt republiCONS just shot their other foot! Between the birthers, the KKK and the religious right rednecks of the south .... who would ever want to align with that group of wacko nuts .... hmmmmm ... NRA, the 700 Club, White Supremist, Successionist, .... what a bunch of redneck idiots the GOP has attracted! And they have the nerve to be PO'ed about illegals ...... ROFLMAO!

[bradkt1]

Congrats to Judge Sonia Sontamayor. She will shortly become Associate Justice Sonia Sontamayor of the U.S. Supreme Court and there is nothing that conservatives can do about it except rant and fume.

Hopefully, President Obama will have several more Supreme Court appointments to make before he leaves office.

[Solarrays247]

"I regret that I cannot vote for her ... not she's a Latina woman (or) because she said all those things, (but) because she wouldn't defend what she said, and stand up and say, 'I really believe this, but I can still be a great judge anyway, because I will never let that interfere with my judging,'" said Sen. Tom Coburn, a Republican.


Well, Senator, did this ever stop an all white, male Supreme Court from ruling fairly? Weren't we always led to believe that the white man, while not being a female, nor black, red, or yellow, could still be a great judge? With equal justice for all? Your stripes or lack of them, are showing, Mr. Coburn!

[kba001]

Judge Sotomayor has a stellar record and will be on the most experienced judiciary minds on the Supreme Court. She will not be biased in her decision making as some Republicans accuse her of. She has seen it from all angles and will be a refreshing voice to those somewhat "stuffy" justices currently serving. She deserves everyones support and respect.

[antoniof123]

I smell another blood bath for the reactionary party of America.

[npkppprc]

Right the first Latino racists, glad it takes a majority for the court to rule at least she will never have the last say in the making our laws.

[chitown639]

Oh Lord WHEN? WHEN will the OPPRESSION of WHITE MEN end? WHEN will Latino women stop oppressing White men?

[daisyjingles]

Voters in Iowa know that Senator Charles Grassley is up for re-election next year in 2010. This vote against Judge Sotomayor does not reflect the Iowans Senator Grassley represents.

Another issue is public health care. The Washington Post had a quote from Grassley recently: "Grassley, the Finance Committee's ranking Republican, received more than $2 million from the health and insurance sectors since 2003. "

I am astounded that Senator Charles Grassley took this money. He should give all that money to a free health clinic in Iowa. People in Iowa are suffering because of the lack of heath care, but Senator Grassley does not support a public plan.

[lovegetpeace]

...talking about a double standard. Why do you not demand that the health and insurance industry give all that money to a free health clinic in Iowa?

Why not demand that the health and insurance industry stop putting so many Prescription Drug commercials on TV at the tune of $24 billion just for 2008? Expected to be higher this year.

Guess who pays for these TV commercials in higher cost for prescription drugs?

[Joe_NY_15]

by lovegetpeace July 28, 2009 1:52 PM EDT
I pray everyday to God to let Newt Gingrich run for the Nomination of the Republican Party.
_________________________

Be careful what you wish for, Newt would run circles around the S-whistling community organizer....Gingrich and Palin are very different.

[lovegetpeace]

Let me do you a big favor. I will switch to the Republican Party before the Primary in my State. Then, I will vote for your favorite. Finally, after the primary, I will switch back to the Democratic Party before Nov 7, 2012.

Do we have a deal?

[lovegetpeace]

Amigo Joe_NY_15,
Well...Do we have a deal?

[Joe_NY_15]

If you mean by a deal, you vote for my favorite candidate, then sure....but I will never register as a Spendicrat....eeewww...nasty

I take it you must have heard Gingrich speaking on a number of issues ? This isn't some inexperienced governor plucked from the foothills you know....Newt is a public speaker, former professor of History and a constitutional expert....like I said, be careful what you wish for....I see your point about Palin, but Gingrich is a whole nother ball of wax.

[Joe_NY_15]

by lovegetpeace July 28, 2009 2:13 PM EDT

Amigo ? I don't think so....I'm so white, I'm clear...practically see through

[Buddha10]

She fits so well with Obama agenda, shooting off at the mouth before thinking just what we need to compliment DC politics at this moment.

[steeepe]

It's hilarious that Sessions, an Alabama bigot, criticized her for "bias". These GOP hypocrites and liars are really too much. How can they fool people for so long?

[Benton09]

Bush and Cheney have a Masters in 'high crimes and misdemeanors' and by the way you're an idiot! You can't even spell Puerto Rico!

[endurorob]

lovegetpeace July 28, 2009 1:17 PM EDT
1 down....4 more Supreme Court Justices to go before Jan 20, 2017 for President Obama.


If he wants to get it done he will need to do it before Jan 20, 2013.

[DaVicar5]

Actually, once those pesky "high crimes and misdemeanors" kick in, he'll have even less time than that!

[lovegetpeace]

...did someone say "high crimes and misdemeanors"...

Folks,
If the Republicans succeed in stopping Health Care Reform this year, then please write to President Obama to support Congressional Democrats whom cannot wait to call for several Independent Commissions and Special Prosecutors to Investigate and Probe all Unconstitutional acts of Ex-VP Dick Cheney and Ex-President George Bush. Bush and Cheney belong in Jail. No need for President Obama to be Mr. Nice President. Please help spread the word around like cancer.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1912297,00.html?cnn=yes

The Republicans need to taste a good Fear of their own.

You have my Explicit Permission to copy this idea for your own use. I refused 'All Rights Reserve'. I refused all 'CopyRights'.

[lovegetpeace]

Amigo DaVicar5,
I pray everyday to God to let Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich run for the Nomination of the Republican Party. This guarantees a 2nd term for President Obama.

[endurorob]

nunovyerbeezwax July 28, 2009 1:21 PM EDT
********. Sotomayor is eminently qualified for the SCOTUS and is neither racist nor sexist. Those sour grapes must really taste nasty.



It is not sour grapes but rather her racist/sexist comment that makes her a racist/sexist.

[gunownerdan]

It really does not surprise me that the democrats would support such a racist gun grabber, and what an ugly one at that!

[DaVicar5]

When it comes to Racist Gun Grabbers, looks really don't matter much. It's more or less down to how many Democrat Senators can get their hands into their pocket.

[cattiej]

Why all the hoopla when we all knew she would be voted in. What a waste of taxpayer's money..Everybody had better learn to speak Spanish as it will soon be our national language. Press 1 for Spanish, Press 2 for English....

[DaVicar5]

How do you say "Hoopla" in Spanish?

[Joe_NY_15]

Next thing you know, it will be press 1 for Spanish, for English "sorry, English as the American language is no longer in use, please dial 1 to speak to a Wise Latina"

[lovegetpeace]

Verdict - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt - this 'Wise Latina' is Wiser than all the White Men in the Senate.

1 down....4 more Supreme Court Justices to go for President Obama before Jan 20, 2017.

[cs4466]

Right on!!!

[cs4466]

Right on!!!

[lovegetpeace]

1 down....4 more Supreme Court Justices to go before Jan 20, 2017 for President Obama.

[DaVicar5]

Sorry, Bucko, but after January, 2013, he won't be able to do anymore damage!

[woeisme1]

Gee I did'nt realize there were so many fortune tellers posting here DaVicar.

[DaVicar5]

by woeisme1 "Gee I did'nt realize there were so many fortune tellers posting here DaVicar"


Yep.
If they had only listened to me back in November, they would realize that I am the only True Sleuth Slayer!

[antoniof123]

After Bush and his lock step congress I think that the swing voters will be deciding what to do with the deciders.

LOL....

I smell another blood bath just like 2006 and 2008 for the reactionary party of America.