Politics as usual

[Jim Hand]

It would be nice if something as important as a U.S. Supreme Court nomination was handle with solemn dignity void of crass politics, but that is never going to happen.
So, regardless of the merits or drawbacks to the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the court, politics is a prime consideration.
The national media is reporting that the Obama administration is almost hoping that Senate Republicans oppose her nomination because it would hurt their already low standing with a growing Hispanic population.
The media is also reporting that conservative groups are working toward dragging out the confirmation process as much as possible because a tough fight over the Supreme Court would help their fund-raising efforts.
As a side note, despite President Obama's popularity, Republicans are having a banner year raising money.

[Steve]

The upside is that she is not pro choice. The upside of her feeling that the court makes law, is that it appears that she is not pro-choice.

[Jim Hand]

Rick:
I'm not sure Sotomayor's nomination would slant the court.
Everything I have read about her states that she is pretty much in line with the man she would replace, David Souter. It sounds like it would be a wash.
Also, I think fundraising is up for the GOP because the base of the party is so outraged over Obama, but I think the general public is still behind the president - at least for now.

[Rick Lunt]

Jim,
This nomination shows how slanted President Obama wants the supreme court to be. This woman obviously rules in favor of hispanic criminals which is a disgrace, what she is doing is appeasing these people, and most of these are criminals who are here illegally. The reason why Republicans are having a banner year raising money is that the American people are beginning to realize what a miserable failure President Obama really is. To provide a few gleaming examples of the President's and the Democrat's failures, 1. The stimulus package is a total miserable failure, this package does nothing but spend, spend, and spend, and it does absolutely nothing to provide the economic conditions that are necessary for job creation and putting people back to work. The stimulus bil will actually raise more taxes and put more people out of work. Example 2. Closing Guantanamo Bay prison is another huge mistake and failure, and some of these no good thugs and terrorists if they are allowed here in the United States or are shipped out elsewhere will most likely get out on a technicality and be able to roam free to harm again. Example 3, Socialized health care will undoubdable be another miserable failure, just look at Canada for a few examples of this.

[Steve]

According to Title 28, Chapter I, Part 453 of the United States Code, each Supreme Court Justice takes the following oath:
"I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [TITLE] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God."

This is the oath of a Supreme Court Justice. If anyone feels that this standard is violated by past actions, it is their duty to oppose the nomination, whether they're on the confirmation comittee or just a private citizen on the street.

[Jim Hand]

Supreme court nominations have always been political to some degree. The amount of politics varies from nominee to nominee.
Earl Warren was appointed to the court by Eisenhower as payback for Warren dropping out of the Republican race for president. Sounds like Illinois.

[AttleboroResident]

There are some concerns with this nominee but because of her gender and Hispanic heritage it's believed taboo to be negative about her. That too is wrong in my opinion. Sotomayor should be looked at based on her ability to judge, not where she was born or her gender. She's publicly stated she believes she's a better judge than white men. How outrageous!! Can you imagine if a white man said the same about a Hispanic woman??? Her rulings have been overturned 5 times by the Supreme Court. She has history of biased in favoring minority criminals. The firefighters case is making all the headlines but there are more examples. She deserves to be challenged by the Senate. Not because of her gender but because every nominee should. Her background needs to be discussed in public for all to see.

I have no doubt that she will be approved in this one party government of ours. I also have no issues with it if her credentials warrant her getting the job. The High Court should not be a political position but sadly it has been that way for many year. Judges should judge based on the law.