In Session: Sidebar  « Back to Blog Main
July 14, 2009

Supreme Court nominee denies bias

Posted: 02:21 PM ET

NEW YORK – Judge Sonia Sotomayor is getting the opportunity to convey her judicial philosophy as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee begin grilling the Supreme Court nominee on the second day of her confirmation hearings.

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor answers Senate Judiciary Committee questions

Sotomayor wasted no time in attempting to expound on her comments that a wise Latina would come to a better judgment on the bench than a white male without the same life experience.

"I want to state upfront, unequivocally and without doubt: I do not believe that any racial, ethnic or gender group has an advantage in sound judging. I do believe that every person has an equal opportunity to be a good and wise judge, regardless of their background or life experiences," said Sotomayor.

The ranking Republican on the committee, Sen. Jeff Sessions, from Alabama, pressed Sotomayor on her impartiality, “I just am very concerned that what you're saying today is quite inconsistent with your statement that you willingly accept that your sympathies, opinions and prejudices may influence your decision-making.”

Sotomayor addressed her ruling in the reverse discrimination case filed by white firefighters in New Haven, Conn. - overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court - by explaining that it was about an examination for the firefighters, "not about quotas, not about affirmative action."

Concerning privacy rights and Roe versus Wade, Sotomayor said Tuesday she considers "all precedents of the Supreme Court" settled law. The divisive issue led to four anti-abortion activists being thrown out of the hearing yesterday.

On gun rights, Sotomayor told the committee that she has a Godchild who is a member of the NRA and would not take any "preconceived notions" to the high court if confirmed.

The hearing is expected to wrap up Thursday and a Senate vote should take place within a couple of weeks. There's word on Capitol Hill that some Republican senators will begin backing Sotomayor, but regardless, the Democratic majority makes it likely that Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court, unless as Sen. Lindsey Graham, the Republican from South Carolina, said, she has a "complete meltdown."

Stay tuned to In Session’s coverage of the hearings with Fred Graham live from Capitol Hill this week.

-Bob Regan, In Session senior executive producer

Filed under: Supreme Court


Share this on:
William Adams   July 14th, 2009 5:11 pm ET

I'm trying to think of how many political female latinos have been charged with stealing, sexual scandal or lying. How come I can only think of white males.

Maggie   July 14th, 2009 5:23 pm ET

We are constantly reminded that we are Hispanics, whether we are born in the U.S. or not. How could Sotomayor not accidentally make a comment on being Latina or Hispanic? Give me a break, she shouldn't have to apologize for that!

Jan   July 15th, 2009 10:08 am ET

I think the Senators on both sides are throwing caution to the wind when it comes down to confirming this Racist Sotomayor. She is wrong for our Supreme Court – Do we have a watch dog group that keeps track of these judges – can they be impeached. I do hope she does not make it to our highest court in America. Racist is the word for her/

Valerie   July 19th, 2009 9:26 am ET

It seems some people in our country focus way to much on Nationality. For one reason or another. And there is always some one around to point this out. When and if some one refers to their nationality. Why cant we all just lay claim to being Human. Get over the color of our skin. Quit lying claim to one clan or another one tribe over the other.And I think ALL JUDGES! take to court and judgment a tad of personal feelings. Its only being HUMAN.

thomas lybbert   July 19th, 2009 9:53 pm ET

Not only is she a racist (her favorite phrase was used at least 7 times) she is an activist judge who wants to make laws from the bench. obama likes the way she thinks -by pass Congress don't need them. obama can count on her support for anything he does that is in defiance of the constitution.Plus he gets to replace her with another racist, activist judge for the appellate court. like the saying going goes if it walks like a duck and it ....

Rob in Texas   July 19th, 2009 11:38 pm ET

To call her racist is completely silly, the right wingers are looking for any excuse to keep her out since she's not a 'Conservative.' America started out as a melting pot of immigrants and our high courts should resemble the same since America was settled by immigrants.

Christy Elmasri   July 20th, 2009 3:40 pm ET

Confirm her.... she will be a great asset to the Supreme Court!

John Lennon   July 21st, 2009 7:35 pm ET

There is the comment that we always remind people that their hispanics. Is there something else that we should call you?? When we listen to you talk, you always call us americanos. It doesn`t bother me what race they put on the supreme court, just so they do their job!!!

Roberta   July 30th, 2009 5:19 pm ET

Once again, I think everything is being done in everyone's power to keep women from playing a significant role in politics or creating and serving the laws of our country. Hispanic or Black, I don't think it matters
I'll never forget the fight we went through in the '70's. I'll never forget the sexual harassment that I DIDN'Treport in workplaces (they was no "word" even for that then). I'll never forget "date rape" before there was a word for it. Everything that happened to a woman was always HER fault. I hope we get another woman in a prestigious position.
I also hate the way the media and people tear women apart in the news–from how they look to their dress. Who comments if Obama is wearing an ugly tie? Except for cartoonists, no one ever mentions his ears. Wow! If that were a woman, they'd be calling her "Dumbo." Sarah Palin is a fine example of a very personable, likeable , attractive woman who probably knew just as much about politics as Obama. Yet, terriblle things were said to hurt her family. How Very, very sad that WOMEN are often not FOR women. Shame on us!

Tony in Largo, Fl   August 1st, 2009 1:05 pm ET

When someone is in a minority group, as I am, I can tell you that the words bias, bigotry, racism, hatred and profiling and all of their ramifications, tangible and intangible are that which one wants to destroy, anihiliate, get rid of and never practice. Sonia Sotomayor, has emphatically stated that she is not biased in any way, shape or form and I know that her decisions will bare that out.

Leave Your Comment


 

Comments are moderated by CNN, in accordance with the CNN Comment Policy, and may not appear on this blog until they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting. Also, due to the volume of comments we receive, not all comments will be posted.


subscribe RSS Icon
About this blog

Sidebar takes you behind the scenes of the day's legal headlines with breaking news and in-depth analysis from In Session's anchors and correspondents.

Contact us
  • Questions or comments? E-mail
In Session Team
Jean Casarez
Correspondent
Jean Casarez
Beth Karas
Correspondent
Beth Karas
Mike Brooks
Law Enforcement Analyst
Mike Brooks
Midwin Charles
Legal Contributor
Midwin Charles
Sunny Hostin
Legal Contributor
Sunny Hostin
Powered by WordPress.com VIP