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Nominee splits GOP
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06/03/09 02:01 PM ET
There are many telling moments during the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominations.
The initial reaction the nominee attracts is very important, but what comes a bit later is more telling; it’s when you can tell which party is more divided.
For example, Republicans were divided when President George W. Bush nominated Harriet Miers, who eventually withdrew from consideration. But Democrats were divided when Bush tapped John Roberts (22 Democrats voted for him, and 22 voted to reject him).
On Sonia Sotomayor, the Republican Party is the one that is split.
Some on the right, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and radio show host Rush Limbaugh, immediately blasted Sotomayor, suggesting she was racist. Gingrich has since backtracked.
On Wednesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said it was “not fair” to call Sotomayor a racist after the Judiciary Committee member met with her privately.
Graham did say he was troubled by her statement in a 2001 speech suggesting a “wise Latina” might have better judgment than a “white male who hasn’t lived that life.”
Still, Graham made clear he was not putting any label on the nominee who would be the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said he was pleased that Gingrich has shifted his position on Sotomayor.
He told CNN on Wednesday, “I’m very glad he backed off. I think that’s unusual, that commentators do that, and I think it was very good that he did. I think that will help — help us. I think that will help us have a real good discussion about the serious issues that the nation faces and that the court faces.”
President Obama seriously considered voting for Roberts, but he was told by his chief of staff that a yes vote would kill his presidential campaign. He ultimately rejected the nomination of the man who swore him into office in January.
Republicans, who are on the defensive, repeatedly point to Obama’s rejection of both Roberts and Samuel Alito as justification for their possible “no” votes on Sotomayor.
Politically, Republicans are in a shambles. They lost a winnable House race in New York’s 20th district in the spring. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) left the party in late April. They don’t have a clear position on healthcare reform, Obama’s top domestic priority.
Republicans should vet Sotomayor, vote their conscience and be done with it.
The initial reaction the nominee attracts is very important, but what comes a bit later is more telling; it’s when you can tell which party is more divided.
On Sonia Sotomayor, the Republican Party is the one that is split.
Some on the right, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and radio show host Rush Limbaugh, immediately blasted Sotomayor, suggesting she was racist. Gingrich has since backtracked.
On Wednesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said it was “not fair” to call Sotomayor a racist after the Judiciary Committee member met with her privately.
Graham did say he was troubled by her statement in a 2001 speech suggesting a “wise Latina” might have better judgment than a “white male who hasn’t lived that life.”
Still, Graham made clear he was not putting any label on the nominee who would be the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said he was pleased that Gingrich has shifted his position on Sotomayor.
He told CNN on Wednesday, “I’m very glad he backed off. I think that’s unusual, that commentators do that, and I think it was very good that he did. I think that will help — help us. I think that will help us have a real good discussion about the serious issues that the nation faces and that the court faces.”
President Obama seriously considered voting for Roberts, but he was told by his chief of staff that a yes vote would kill his presidential campaign. He ultimately rejected the nomination of the man who swore him into office in January.
Republicans, who are on the defensive, repeatedly point to Obama’s rejection of both Roberts and Samuel Alito as justification for their possible “no” votes on Sotomayor.
Politically, Republicans are in a shambles. They lost a winnable House race in New York’s 20th district in the spring. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) left the party in late April. They don’t have a clear position on healthcare reform, Obama’s top domestic priority.
Republicans should vet Sotomayor, vote their conscience and be done with it.
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