WASHINGTON (CNN) – Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor could be her own worst enemy in her Senate confirmation hearings if her reputation for being tough on lawyers from the bench is to be believed, a conservative Hispanic said Tuesday.
"She could Bork herself," said Manuel Miranda, the chairman of the conservative group the Third Branch Conference. "It's very possible."
"Think about it: Sam Alito, soft spoken; John Roberts, affable and soft spoken; Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg . . . all of them soft spoken. This nominee's more like Judge Bork. She has a temper. She has an attitude. She could come across as hubristic in the hearings – as arrogant."
Miranda's comments came on the same day that his organization requested that the Republican leadership in the Senate mount a filibuster of Sotomayor's confirmation vote in order to allow sufficient time for conservative judicial philosophies to get a public airing during confirmation process.
Read: The Third Branch Conference's letter to Senate Republicans
"We call on you instead to display leadership, if the nominee merits it, in preparing for the use of the traditional filibuster, not intended to obstruct, together with moderate
Democrats, so that the debate on the Senate floor is appropriately long and, therefore, suitably catalyzed to the American people," says Third Branch's letter to Senate Republicans.
The letter is "an attempt to speak for the conservative movement – as best one can," Miranda said Tuesday.
Miranda, who like Sotomayor is Hispanic and grew up in New York City, also said he thought the judge's oft-emphasized status as a Latina is being used to try to intimidate conservatives into not opposing her nomination.
"We're not putting a lot of focus on the fact that she is a Latina woman. It would be better if she were a Latina woman that didn't say the kind of things she's said and didn't write the kind of things she writes. That's not the issue."
"We make a mistake if we do not come to grips, acknowledge, recognize, and then move on the issue of the great life story, the inspiring life story," Miranda added about Sotomayor's rise from working class roots. "It is an inspiring life story, it is a great aspect of national pride."
In order to avoid possibly alienating Hispanics while opposing Sotomayor, Miranda suggested that Republicans should focus their criticism on the substantive aspects of Sotomayor's nomination.
Republicans need to put "substance into the void," Miranda said. "A vote against this nominee without substance is going to be problematic. We have to explain our vote."
From CNN Politics
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Conservatives are putting their colored puppets out there to do their bidding.
Yeah, she can go Bork herself. Bork you, Sotomayor! Bork off, you wannabe justice! Go Bork yourself.
Ay Caramba, Republicans. Shut Up Already!! Stop thinking so negatively! One Love Baby, Chill. Everything Will Be OK!!
I know one group who would love to see Ms. Sotomayor "go bork herself" a bunch of white firefighters from new haven, who were smart enough to pass a test.
From what hole did Miranda crawl out of. Push him back in with a SOFT-SPOKEN nudge/high kick.
Bork ? Beurk !
She can't "Bork" herself - she can only be "Borked" by the GOP (at its great peril).
Mr. Miranda,
It's obvious your thoughts are based on wreckless speculation from within the GOP wish list. Unfortunately... Santa Claus knows who has been naughty and nice this entire year . And the GOP didn't even make the wish list from 3rd class in the upper deck.
Whether Uncle Tom or Tio Taco.... Good luck Loser
The republicans, up to now, have not put substance into their "NO!" votes. I really doubt that you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Sad to hear all the hate....... a little sheepy...A?
See....ALL hispanics are racists, they even don't like their own kind! Don't let the wet backs ever run anything...they are all racists. Only white, rich people should run the country and get to rip off the people and give their loot to their friends!
Am so sick of the republicans. Trash, swiftboat, distort, lie, obstruct, point fingers, accuse.
These egotistical, hypocritical, inept politicians just don't get it.
____
You mean just like democrats did to Roberts, Thomas, etc., etc. etc.
Not to mention that she is racist, not to mention totally unqualified.
This is childish Republicans. Stop behaving like whiny children.
Next....zzzzzzzzzzzz is it over yet......all these negativism from the Republicans is not helping America or the American people. Just shameful. We are a laughing stock to the rest of the WORLD!
Ay Caramba, Republicans. Shut Up Already!! Stop thinking so negatively! One Love Baby, Chill. Everything Will Be OK!!
____
You mean it was fine for democrats to complain for eight straight years of Bush's presidency, but now that they have their guy in office, it's wrong for republicans to complain?
A tad hyprocritical, don't you think?
>>considered by most democrats to be one of the most qualified candidates ever to be considered for the courts.
Now that's funny!
>>Republicans generally do not immediately run to the gutter like democrats do. I think they will be respectful but firm.
Republicans invented gutter. Republicans own gutter.
Golly, ad hominem attacks are fun! Perhaps if you provided some links to back up your statements you wouldn't look so foolish.
@phoenix86
"The dems own the Senate and will confirm her, even though she is unqualified.
------
Phoenix, you typical knee-jerk Rush toad.....she is qualified. Here are the high-level qualifications.
Yale Law Grad
Princeton Grad (1st in Class)
3 Levels of Courts she is experienced in
17 Years experience on the bench (more than any sitting Justice)
Appointed by a Republican President
Taght LAw as a professor
So Phenix.....Now give me your argumant for why she is unqualified.......(crickets) ....that right, you dont have one....NEXT!
This is childish Republicans. Stop behaving like whiny children
______
Again, like the democrats didn't behave like "whiny" children for 8 years of Bush's presidency. Nancy Pelosi anyone?
This is all we get from Conservatives and the GOP..nothing. I wish they would all go bork themselves.
phoenix86-
As a democrat, I seldom run to the gutter because all the space has been taken up by the party of "NO!" The right wing nuts are becoming sewer rats.
Bork was qualified and Sotomayor is not? Only in your dreams.
It's a shame that people just can't be themselves when running for a office. As long as she gets the job done who the hell are we to say what she should act like! This woman is very much Qualified for the position and that is what all this uproar should be based on? I careless that she's Hispanic!!!!!
Funny, after this weak GOP nomination resistence, there wont be any more GOP Hispanics.
Mr Miranda is a an envious Hispanic. I hate to see Hispanics throwing stones at someone who is obviously a well qualified candidate and well respected in the highest courts systems. Shame on you Mr. Miranda!
I wonder about Conservatives in general, Hispanic or otherwise. Judge Sotomayor is well educated and got to where she is on her own. There is no comparison to Bork. Everyone will find her to be cogent and well spoken. Regarding her being tough on counsel in front of her - good for her. I'm sure many conservative attorneys attempted to talk down to her and she had to quickly remind them to pick up their game up to the appropriate level.
"Not to mention that she is racist, not to mention totally unqualified."
yeah, i mean...she's only the person with the most qualifications EVER to be nominated for Judge, but...don't let something like facts mess up your delusions.