Legal News

Sotomayor, Day 71: The Senate Debate Begins

By Ashby Jones

Basically before it ever started, the fight over the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor is done. She is going to be confirmed by a relatively wide margin and without a substantial, mainstream assault on her credentials or suitability for the bench.

– Scotusblog’s Tom Goldstein, May 28, 2009

Well, when the final Senate vote happens on the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, likely to happen by the end of the week, we won’t tell you “we told you so,” but Tom Goldstein might — if he finds himself in such a mood. Goldstein, after all, made that prediction only two days after President Obama picked her to replace the outgoing David Souter.

From our vantage point, it’s been an interesting ride — the nation has debated the notion of “judicial activism,” gotten to know some white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., and pondered the phrase “wise Latina.” But the ride, as presaged by Goldstein, has been rather anticlimactic. Perhaps a few more senators than expected have opposed her (the latest: John McCain), but indeed, barring the unforseen, Sotomayor will be confirmed rather shortly.

Still, the hearings could contain, if not drama, at least some dramatic words. Only six of the 40 Republican senators have signed on to support Sotomayor — presumably the 34 in opposition will throw some zingers in her general direction. If they do, we’ll be sure to bring them to you. For now, click here for the USA Today story on the hearings, and here for a post from the NYT’s Caucus Blog.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on August 04, 2009 (boomark / email).