Audio- Beck says Obama will find a "gay, handicapped, black woman, who's an immigrant" who's a "radical" justice like Sotomayor

Total rodeo clown mode.

Gallup: “Political Winners” Circle Filled by Figures Close to Obama

Looks like the GOP has been successful branding Pelosi as a "loser" considering that she has had a very good year politically.

PRINCETON, NJ -- In Americans' estimation, the top three political winners of 2009 are all women closely linked with the Obama administration: Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Sonia Sotomayor. Among these, Michelle Obama has the broadest support with 73% calling her a "winner" in U.S. politics this year and 21% a "loser." However, Clinton's rating is nearly as positive.

President Barack Obama, himself, also falls in the political winners circle, although the percentage calling him a political loser is somewhat higher than is seen for the three women.

The picture is quite different for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom half of all Americans identify as a political loser. More than half say the same of Rep. Joe Wilson (the representative who yelled "You lie!" to Obama at a joint session of Congress), as well as Gov. Mark Sanford (who is losing his wife and is under a state ethics investigation over an admitted extramarital affair), White House party crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi, and the Republicans in Congress generally.

Supreme Court Gets High Marks

Interestingly enough, I dreamt I interviewed Justice Sotomayor last night and she was very nice in person. Via Taegan-

As the U.S. Supreme Court convenes today with recently sworn-in Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the bench, a new Gallup poll finds Americans "broadly upbeat about the performance of the high court. Sixty-one percent of Americans approve and 28% disapprove of the job the Supreme Court is doing -- among the most positive ratings the court has received in the past decade."

Meanwhile, the White House posted interesting photos from the formal investiture ceremony for Justice Sotomayor attended by President Obama and Vice President Biden. That's a pretty exclusive gathering.

**Blogger still not letting pics upload.

Streaming Live- Sonia Sotomayor sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

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Video- President Obama on Judge Sotomayors Confirmation

Ensign Votes against Sotomayor to Protect 'Sanctity'

By GottaLaff

Sanctity is the last word I'd expect to pop out of John Ensanity's mouth at this point:... especially as it applies to the law... oh yeah, and marriage vows:

ABC News' Jonathan Karl reports: It’s an odd word choice for a guy who just admitted cheating on his wife, but Senator John Ensign (R-NV) says he will vote against the Sonia Sotomayor nomination because, “I feel a need to protect the sanctity of our Constitution.”

Yes, Judge Sotomayor is scary and a major threat to our Constitution. Too bad we don't have BushCo around to protect it any more.

JUST IN: John McCain voting NO on Sotomayor

By GottaLaff

CNN just reported that J Sid McCain is giving Judge Sotomayor a thumbs down. Be proud, J Sid. Way to encourage that Hispanic vote. Those would be the same people that nearly caused you to lose your own state, per Rick Sanchez just now.

And about that immigration reform... "Unless we reverse the trend of ... Hispanic registration" he just said in a video clip.

Hyp. O. Crite.

John McCain undecided on vote for Sotomayor

By GottaLaff

I'm "saddened" that J Sid is still undecided. Could it be he was influenced by all those "vicious attacks" on Judge Sotomayor that he disdains so much when they're directed at Sarah the Quitter?

Sen. John McCain says he is still on the fence when it comes to voting for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

McCain says he is examining Sotomayor's record as an appeals court judge to decide whether she understands the limits to judicial power. He voted against her when she was nominated to the appeals court. [...]

The Arizona Republican says the prospect of Sotomayor becoming the first Hispanic on the high court is part of the discussion, and calls her a great American success story.

I see. But whether he'll further her great American success is a different question entirely. By the way, if he votes for her in part because she would be the first Hispanic SC Justice, isn't that edging into affirmative action territory?

In case of NRA v. Sotomayor: Sotomayor wins

By GottaLaff

Sometimes holding a gun to someone's head doesn't have the desired effect:

The National Rifle Association's threat to punish senators who vote for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has been met with a shrug by Democrats from conservative-leaning states and some Republicans who are breaking with their party to support her.

The gun rights group is used to getting its way by spooking lawmakers about the political consequences of defying its wishes. But it never before has weighed in on a Supreme Court confirmation battle. It was cautious about breaking that pattern, and it looks like a losing a fight to defeat President Barack Obama's first pick for the court.

Sotomayor is expected to easily win confirmation in a vote this coming week that could deflate the long-accepted truism in Washington that you don't cross the NRA.

More here.

VIDEO- Tancredo: ‘Sonia May-eer’ appointment could mean Obama is racist

By GottaLaff

At the end of the segment last night, Tancredo claimed that Schultz could be accused of hate speech for his attacks on Beck and that he would be “affronted” by the mere suggestion that he might have a “deep-seeded hatred for the Latino community.”

As I've said previously, Tancredo's mouth opens, racism falls out.

Sotomayor votes, to date: 35-23

By GottaLaff

Here's the latest tally to keep you busy while I catch up with today's newsiness:

The latest C-SPAN tally in advance of the coming Senate vote on Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court shows 35 senators in favor -- including 29 Democrats and 6 Republicans -- with 23 senators opposed.

There are still 42 senators who are uncommitted.

42 uncommitted, huh? I know of a few senators who should have been committed years ago.

NRAphobia: ConservaDem Senators Waffle On Sotomayor

By GottaLaff

SotomayOY. From the Department of Give. Me. A. Break:

Noting Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s record on the Second Amendment, Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) told Roll Call that that he is “undecided” on her nomination to the Supreme Court (although he added that he is “leaning toward voting in favor”). Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) expressed similar uncertainty:

“I accept her judicial philosophy of fidelity to the law,” Nelson said during a telephone conference call from Washington.

Nelson said he also believes Sotomayor is committed to supporting settled judicial precedent.

But, he said, he needs to “convince myself she won’t be an activist” on the court.

“I need an opportunity to review a few things,” the Democratic senator said.

Both senators’ equivocal statements come in the wake of the NRA’s decision to “score” the Sotomayor vote in determining where each lawmaker stands on the NRA’s pro-gun agenda. The NRA claims, falsely, that because Sotomayor once upheld a New York law against a Second Amendment challenge this somehow proves that she is hostile to gun rights. That decision, however, did nothing more than apply well-established law. [...]

In the end, Begich and Nelson’s decision may be decided — not by Sotomayor’s actual record — but by how afraid they are of the NRA.

ConservaWusses.

BREAKING: Senate Judiciary Committee approves Judge Sotomayor

By GottaLaff

Just a few minutes ago, Sotomayor was approved by a vote of 13-6:

The Senate Judiciary Committee this morning endorsed Sonia Sotomayor to become an associate justice of the Supreme Court on a largely partisan vote that sends her historic nomination to the full Senate for a final decision on her confirmation.

The 13 to 6 vote came nearly two weeks after the committee's members grilled Sotomayor for 2 ½ days, eliciting answers that betrayed little indication of how the nominee, an appellate judge for the past 11 years, would rule on the most significant issues that come before the nation's highest court.

Sotomayor is President Obama's first nominee to the Supreme Court and would become the court's first Hispanic and its third female member. In choosing her in May, the president emphasized her Horatio Alger-like life story, rising from a poor childhood with a widowed mother in a Bronx housing project to attend two Ivy League universities, eventually becoming a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said today that the full Senate probably will not begin debate on Sotomayor's confirmation until next week, although the specific schedule has not been determined. [...]

Graham, the only Republican to join Democrats in voting to send Sotomayor's nomination to the full Senate, said, "I would not have chosen her, but I understand why President Obama did." Graham called her "left of center but certainly within the mainstream. . . She can be no worse than Souter from our point of view," he said, referring to conservatives' view of David H. Souter, the retiring court member she would replace, who was appointed by a Republican president, George H.W. Bush.

Graham said his decision to support her was motivated, in part, by an effort to end the partisan fighting that has characterized some judicial nominations in recent years, when Senate Democrats filibustered several of President George W. Bush's most controversial candidates for lower federal courts. "We came perilously close to damaging an institution of the judiciary that has held this country together in different times."

"The filibusters that were going on a few years ago were historic in nature," Graham said, predicting that their continuation would "over time drive good men and woman away from wanting to be judges," rendering the judicial branch "just an extension of politics in another form."

The law, Graham said, "should be a quiet place, where even the most unpopular could have a shot. No way you can win an election but in the court you might have a shot." He also said that Sotomayor was qualified to serve on the Supreme court and said that, if, as the first Latina member, she "will inspire young women, particularly Latina women, to seek a career in the law, that would be a good thing." [...]

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) said, "These hearings have come little more than theater."

Live Streaming Video- Senate Committee Votes On Sotomayor

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The Senate Judiciary Committee meets this morning to consider the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to join the Supreme Court.

With Democrats holding a 12-7 majority on the committee -- and at least one Republican senator, Lindsey Graham (R-SC), expected to vote in favor -- she should easily move past this hurdle.

Assuming it's a 13-6 vote in favor of Sotomayor, it's interesting to note that John Roberts passed through the Judiciary committee on a 13-5 vote.

2 key Republican senators to oppose Sotomayor for high court

At least Cornyn admits his decision is political, wonder what in the world could make Hatch say no. But hey, keep this and the Gates shit up and not even tanned people will vote Republican again. (except maybe Boehner)

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Two key Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee announced their opposition to Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Friday, a further sign the party's conservative base is uniting against President Barack Obama's first high court pick.

Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah — the former chairman of the committee — and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas — head of the party's Senate campaign committee — announced on the Senate floor their intention to vote against the 55-year-old federal appeals court judge.

Hatch's decision came as somewhat of a surprise. The veteran Republican has voted for every high court nominee in his 32-year Senate career — including President Bill Clinton's two liberal choices, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer.

Hatch had praised Sotomayor's "credentials and experience" and the fact she would be the first Hispanic justice. But despite the nominee's compelling life story, Hatch said that controversial off-the-bench comments by Sotomayor troubled him.

AUDIO: Alberto Gonzales would confirm Sotomayor. Gives one pause, doesn't it?

By GottaLaff



Gonzo says Judge Sotomayor's answers gave him comfort, which should give us discomfort (snerk):

On NPR today, another prominent Republican, former attorney general Alberto Gonzales, also endorsed Sotomayor’s confirmation.

::shudder::

Frank Rich: The GOP's Got Some ’Splainin’ to Do

By GottaLaff

Frank Rich... beautiful:

AS political theater, the Sonia Sotomayor hearings tanked faster than the 2008 Fred Thompson presidential campaign. [...]

Yet the Sotomayor show was still rich in historical significance [...]It offered a vivid snapshot of what Washington looked like when clueless ancien-régime conservatives were feebly clinging to their last levers of power, blissfully oblivious to the new America that was crashing down on their heads and reducing their antics to a sideshow as ridiculous as it was obsolescent.

The hearings were pure “Alice in Wonderland.” Reality was turned upside down. Southern senators who relate every question to race, ethnicity and gender just assumed that their unreconstructed obsessions are America’s and that the country would find them riveting. Instead the country yawned. [...] The senators seemed to have no idea they were describing themselves when they tried to caricature Sotomayor as an overemotional, biased ideologue.

[W]hen Tom Coburn of Oklahoma merrily joked to Sotomayor that “You’ll have lots of ’splainin’ to do,” it clearly didn’t occur to him that such mindless condescension helps explain why the fastest-growing demographic group in the nation is bolting his party.

Coburn wouldn’t know that behind the fictional caricature Ricky Ricardo was the innovative and brilliant Cuban-American show-business mogul Desi Arnaz. [...] Then again, Coburn was so unfamiliar with Jews he didn’t have a clear fix on what happened in the Holocaust until 1997, when he was 48. [...]

This was the Newt Gingrich revolution, swept into Congress by the midterms of 1994. [...]

That the class of ’94 failed on almost every count is a matter of history, no matter how hard it has retroactively tried to blame its disastrous record on George W. Bush. Its incompetence may even have been greater than its world-class hypocrisy. Its only memorable achievements were to shut down the government in a fit of pique and to impeach Bill Clinton in a tsunami of moral outrage.

The class of ’94 gave us J.D. Hayworth and Bob Ney of the Jack Abramoff casino-lobbying scandals. [...] It gave us the sexual adventurers Mark Sanford, John Ensign and Mark Foley. [...] The class of ’94 also included a black Republican, J. C. Watts, who at least had the integrity to leave Congress in 2003 to become a bona fide lobbyist rather than go on a K Street lobbyist’s payroll while still in public office. He was a fleeting novelty; there’s been no black Republican elected to either chamber of Congress since. Today the G.O.P.’s token black is its party chairman, Michael Steele [...]

Among Sotomayor’s questioners, both Coburn and Lindsey Graham are class of ’94. [...] In one of his many cringe-inducing moments, Graham suggested to Sotomayor that she had “a temperament problem” and advised that “maybe these hearings are a time for self-reflection.” That’s the crux of the ’94 spirit, even more than its constant, whiny refrain of white victimization: Hold others to a standard that you would not think of enforcing on yourself or your peers. Self-reflection may be mandatory for Sotomayor, but it certainly isn’t for Graham. [...]

Maybe Graham judges the Sanfords by a more empathetic standard than the Clintons because the Republican lieutenant governor who would replace Sanford is already fending off rumors that he’s gay.

Graham has also given a pass to his ’94 classmate Ensign, now a Nevada senator. [...]

When asked about these unsavory matters, Graham said that an ethics investigation of Ensign “isn’t high” among his priorities. This moral abdication still puts him on a higher plane than Coburn, who has been a murky broker in Ensign’s sexcapades. [...]

Coburn maintains that he has immunity from testifying in any Ensign inquiry because he counseled Ensign as “a physician” and an “ordained deacon.” Coburn is an obstetrician and gynecologist, but never mind. What’s more relevant is the gall of his repeatedly lecturing Sotomayor last week on the “proper role” of judges — even to the point of reading her oath of office out loud. Coburn finds Sotomayor’s views “extremely troubling.” There’s nothing in Sotomayor’s history remotely as troubling as Coburn’s role in the Ensign scandal. Or as his inability to grasp Al Qaeda any better than he did the Nazis. In 2004, he claimed in all seriousness that the “gay agenda” is “the greatest threat to our freedom that we face today.”

You’d think that Coburn’s got some ’splainin’ to do, but as Washington etiquette has it, we spent the week learning every last footnote about Sotomayor while acres of press coverage shed scant light on the shoddy records of those judging her. The public got the point anyway about this dying order and its tired racial and culture wars. [...]

Much of the audience was surely driven away by the sheer boredom of watching white guys incessantly parse the nominee’s “wise Latina” remark. [...] She confronted that overheated controversy directly. “I do not believe that any ethnic, racial or gender group has an advantage in sound judgment,” Sotomayor testified.

It’s the American way that we judge people as individuals, not as groups. And by that standard we can say unequivocally that this particular wise Latina, with the richness of her experiences, would far more often than not reach a better conclusion than the individual white males she faced in that Senate hearing room. Even those viewers who watched the Sotomayor show for only a few minutes could see that her America is our future and theirs is the rapidly receding past.

Video- Leahy: 'Stop the racial politics' on Sotomayor

SMACK. What I hear from the PR's in my family, that is exactly how they are coming off.

Sen. Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) accused the Republicans of playing the race card on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

"You have one leader of the Republican party call her the equivalent of the head of the Ku Klux Klan. Another leader of the Republican party called her a bigot," said Leahy, appearing on CNN's "State of the Union," and citing Republican attacks on Sotomayor's advocacy for a Hispanic legal group. "The leadership of the Republican party came out against her long before we had the hearings, long before they looked at her record. I think that's unfair."

"I hope we don't go back to the day when we used to African-Americans up for confirmation and say yes, but you belong to the NAACP so we're really suspicious of you," said Leahy. "Come on, stop the racial politics--"

Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary committee tried to jump in, saying, "Come on Pat, I want to disagree--" but Leahy continued:

"That's what comes across. It comes across that if you belong to a group that tries to help Hispanics... somehow you're suspicious. The same arguments were used against Thurgood Marshall and I think it's wrong."

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via.

Dick Lugar First Republican To Announce Vote For Sotomayor

I really, really hope that Senator Lugar is grooming some young Republicans in his mold for the future, 'cause these are the kind we need. Doesn't hurt that the President and Lugar are friends.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court seemed relatively pre-ordained following four days of somewhat news-less testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now, it seems, the one question remaining will be how many Republican senators will offer their support.

On Friday morning, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) became the first, releasing a statement of support for President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee.

"I have listened to the testimony of Judge Sonia Sotomayor before the Senate Judiciary Committee, carefully reviewed her public service record, and reviewed recommendations from Indiana constituents and colleagues here in the Senate," said Lugar. "Judge Sotomayor is clearly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and she has demonstrated a judicial temperament during her week-long nomination hearing. Judge Sotomayor has had a distinguished career of public service. She is well regarded in the legal community and by her peers. I will vote to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States."

h/t Eric