President Barack Obama’s nomination of federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court is being widely praised.
For now, Republicans are holding their fire. In a statement, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said:
Republicans look forward to learning more about federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor’s thoughts on the importance of the Supreme Court’s fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law. Supreme Court vacancies are rare, which makes Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination a perfect opportunity for America to have a thoughtful discussion about the role of the Supreme Court in our daily lives. Republicans will reserve judgment on Sonia Sotomayor until there has been a thorough and thoughtful examination of her legal views.
Rush Limbaugh, the self-styled “leader of the conservative movement,” is not withholding judgment. Limbaugh told his listeners:
But here is why, even though she may not be able to be stopped, here is why Sonia Sotomayor needs to be opposed by the Republicans as far as they can take it, because the American people need to know who Barack Obama really is, and his choice of Sonia Sotomayor tells everybody, if we will tell the story of her, who he is.
Whatever. Sotomayor’s confirmation will be smooth sailing.
But her supporters aren’t taking any chances. The Coalition for Constitutional Values, spearheaded by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Alliance for Justice and People for the American Way, is mobilizing grassroots support for Sotomayor.
For more info, go here.
