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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Sotomayor: The next battle

Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:16 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: ,

What do you do when the current Supreme Court hearings are lulling the political world to sleep? You write about them in context of the NEXT battle. The New York Times: “After three days of testimony, Judge Sotomayor appeared to have made no major mistakes that would jeopardize her confirmation in a Senate dominated by Democrats. So both sides are trying to use the Judiciary Committee hearings to define the parameters of an acceptable nomination in case another seat opens up during Mr. Obama’s presidency.”

The Hill called it an easy third day for Sotomayor.

Video: NBC's Chuck Todd talks with the Morning Joe crew about where Sonia Sotomayor stands after the first three days of Supreme Court nomination hearings.

The AP compares Sotomayor's language to Roberts’ and Alito’s during testimony, and finds some similarities. 
 
The AP also tries to make sense of some of the legalese that's coming from the hearings. 
 
During what the New York Daily News called a "bizarre day" at the Sotomayor hearing (with a lot of punchy senators), Al Franken, "now the most junior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- switched seats with the chairman of the panel because Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy's microphone died. 'I think mine works. I'll change places with you,' Franken offered, drawing laughter. Leahy took him up on the offer. As Franken eased into Leahy's chair, the panel's top Republican, Sen. Jeff Sessions, joked it was 'the quickest rise' in Senate history."

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Obama should go ultra liberal with his next pick and drive the Republicans over a cliff.  He should pick another minority and a liberal and let the American people really see the hatred flow from the Republicans as they come unhinged.

Sotomayor’s Abortion Question-- Can you believed the republicans attempts at dragging out Judge Sotomayor’s opinions on abortion? She slam dunked their butts. They also inquired if President Obama asked her how she stood on the issue prior to her accepting the appointment.

Imagine this; there are “practically” all old ass men on the Committee and one Democrat female. The Republicans do have qualified elected “female,” Senator’s that should serve on the Committee. Even if the females that are Senators are few. They could have left off the racist Session’s. Pasty faced dead… oh well! Questioning a female…

I guess the party of NO, means, no FEMALES allowed. The good ole boy’s club is making a laughing stock of themselves. This doesn’t look good for them nationally. It appears as though they are attempting to harass a Latino female that has “earned” her education, verses a bunch of old farts that have had a lifetime of opportunity and financial support, sitting there, getting media coverage, salivating, feeling important while attempting to filibuster her nomination, even though she’s “well” qualified…better than those that are questioning her are. Only in America!!
Sonja Sotomayer =  Ruth Bader Ginsburg + 80 pounds.
All the repugnant ones have to go after Sotomayor is her wise Latina woman comment because they don't have any real legal issues to confront her with.  All this proves is how racist the white supremacy party is.

It's a real pity that some deadbeat from Alabama runs their side and we all know he got dumped from being a Federal Judge because of his racist comment.  Too bad there aren't more smart people like Anita from Birmingham in that backwards state so that we wouldn't have to put up with trash like jeff sessions in the Senate.

Confirm Sotomayor Now!
Several times she has used the words common people in her statements, like we don't understand or something. I would like for one of the republican senators to ask her, what separates her from the common people outside of the courtroom? I believe she is an elitist, and she is where she is at today on an old white man's dime. She said herself she is an affirmative action baby.  What would she be without it?
Yeah, Sonja, you could drop a whole bunch of weight and set an example for all of us.

Maybe if you just had the incentive to push yourself away from the table a little sooner.

You can't be a court justice if you have no will power.

It is very revealing to actually see racism/sexism among our country's leaders in "action".  Do you think her appearance (un-barbie like) that causes some of the bullying?  Being from the south, I can tell you it does, in my opinion.
It is very revealing to actually see racism/sexism among our country's leaders in "action".  Do you think her appearance (un-barbie like) that causes some of the bullying?  Being from the south, I can tell you it does, in my opinion.
I don't think we learn anything from these hearings. Sonja is just repeting what the last two nominees said.  What do we believe - what she has said in the past or the what we hear now?


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