Baucus to Support Sotomayor
(AP)
This afternoon, however, Baucus calmed the uproar by coming out in support of President Obama's nominee.
Here's his full statement, as reported by Montana newspapers:
"The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, and the pinnacle of the judicial branch of our government. Being confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice is a tremendous honor with enormous responsibility. I have long said that to be a Supreme Court Justice a person must meet three main criteria: personal integrity, professional competence, and a view of important issues that is within the mainstream of contemporary judicial thought. After personally meeting Judge Sotomayor, thoroughly analyzing her judicial record, and reviewing her nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Sotomayor unquestionably meets each of these criteria. Thus, I am proud to support her nomination and will vote to confirm her as a Justice to the United States Supreme Court."This all started when Baucus told The Hill newspaper that he had "no idea" if he would support Sotomayor. Liberals have already been up in arms over the moderate Democrat's push for bipartisan compromise over health care reform that may not include a "public option."