“I have nothing against white men…but…”

As expected, via Hotline On Call: Along largely partisan lines, the Senate Judiciary Cmte backed SCOTUS appointee Sonia Sotomayor, Pres. Obama’s first high court pick, this morning by a 13-6 vote. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was the only Republican to support Sotomayor. The Senate cmte’s Dems voted unanimously for the Bronx native. Full confirmation next.

Irresistible.

He’s on the Senate floor right now praising Sonia Sotomayor’s “extraordinary record of academic achievement,” inspiring “life story,” and “great work ethic.” He squawks several times that “elections have consequences.” Predicts that she will be no more liberal than Souter. “Time will tell.” “There are things about this nominee that are troubling.” But he’s gonna […]

Scroll down for liveblog and updates… Today, it’s the SCOTUS ceremonial dance with the Senate. Republicans will delicately challenge Sonia Somotmayor on racial preferences, Second Amendment rights, property rights, sovereignty issues, and her extracurricular speechifying. Democrats will bloviate about pet causes (“consumer-friendly” laws, the environment). Sonia the Wise will assuage skeptics with repeated insistences that […]

As predicted and expected, the Senate Sotomayor hearing this morning has been marinated in rhetoric about “overcoming adversity.” (Plus two disruptions from protesters. Immediately quelled by Capitol police.) Sen. Feinstein praised Sotomayor’s “warmth.” (Did she take her temperature?) Sen. Kyl made a measured, comprehensive case challenging Sotomayor’s biases and prejudices on race and foreign law. […]

Able to leap tall life obstacles in a single bound! It’s opening day of the Senate SCOTUS hearings on the Sonia Sotomayor nomination. We’ll get gavel-to-gavel coverage this morning on all major networks and CSPAN starting at 10am Eastern. The good news: At least we’ll be spared Joe Biden’s bloviations. That’s about the only positive […]

From the Seattle Times op-ed page: “Sotomayor’s nomination is historic also because she is living successfully with diabetes.” By contrast, the blogosphere has something other than puff pieces on Sotomayor to offer. For example: Does Sotomayor have tax problems? See here from law professor Glenn Reynolds and here from tax professor Paul Caron. From Ed […]

Black and white.

The White House will hold a press conference this morning with Joe Biden announcing law enforcement support for SCOTUS nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Advocacy groups have always thrown their weight around during the confirmation process, but convening official White House events to make such announcements is a bit unusual. A friend jokes: Is Sotomayor running for […]