America: U.S. Supreme Court Nominee Sotomayor in the Hot Seat

U.S. President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, defended herself on Tuesday. The Senate Judiciary Committee questioned her on everything from race to abortion, to antitrust law. 

Democrats call Obama’s decision to nominate Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court historic, and have emphasized her long career as a prosecutor and appeals court judge. But Republicans have drawn ammunition from a 2001 speech in which she said a „wise Latina“ might arrive at a better legal decision than a white man.

Offered the chance to explain the „wise Latina“ comments at her confirmation hearing, Sotomayor said she had been misconstrued — that the remarks she made were mainly to groups of female and Latino lawyers where she was trying to inspire them to get involved with the law.

[Sonia Sotomayor, U.S.Supreme Court Nominee]:
„I want to state up front, unequivocally and without doubt, I do not believe that any ethnic, racial, 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.“

Democrats who control the Senate say Sotomayor has both the legal expertise and the life experience to serve on the court, which has been closely divided with four liberal and five conservative members.

That balance would be maintained if she is confirmed, as she would replace retiring Justice David Souter, who is also a liberal.

Sotomayor faced questions on a range of other hot-button issues, many of which have proved politically divisive in U.S. society.

(NTDTV)