Specter Sings Sotomayor's Praises

By Keith Perine | May 26, 2009 1:10 PM | | Comments (0)

CQ Photo
Sonia Sotomayor and Barack Obama in the Oval Office (Getty)

Newly minted Democrat Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania issued a statement Tuesday praising President Obama's choice of Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court.

Specter, who now is wooing Pennsylvania Democrats in his bid for a sixth term, was more complimentary of Sotomayor than he probably would have been in his previous role as the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"I applaud the nomination of Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Her confirmation would add needed diversity in two ways: the first Hispanic and the third woman to serve on the high court," Specter said. "While her record suggests excellent educational and professional qualifications, now it is up to the Senate to discharge its constitutional duty for a full and fair confirmation process."

Compare that response to the initial reaction from Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who said, "Judge Sotomayor has a compelling life story and a long record of judicial service that will require careful consideration for this most important appointment. I look forward to a timely confirmation process that is fair, thorough, and conducted with civility. Until the Judiciary Committee completes its hearings and I have the opportunity to have a discussion with Judge Sotomayor, I will withhold judgment on her nomination."

More from CQ Politics

Categories: Supreme Court

Tags: Sotomayor

Post A Comment


(for verification only; will not be published with your comment)