June 9, 2009
Posted: June 9th, 2009 06:39 PM ET

From
Democrats are hoping the Senate vote on Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court takes place by the congressional summer recess.
Democrats are hoping the Senate vote on Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court takes place by the congressional summer recess.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - While Democrats are hoping the Senate vote on Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court takes place by the congressional summer recess, Republican Sen. John Thune told CNN Radio Tuesday he thinks the vote might not occur until September.

"I don't think there is any rush, only because the new court doesn't open until October," the South Dakota Republican said in an interview with Mark Preston and Lisa Desjardins that was streamed live on CNN.com.

Thune, who said has not yet decided if he will support or oppose Sotomayor, has launched a new Web site: to serve as a conservative clearing house to discuss the nomination.

"What we simply did is created a forum for people from my state to interact with others and to inform them about some of the things that she has said in the past and positions she has taken and what not," Thune said. "We are trying to make it a very open process where people have an opportunity to sort of contribute their input and hear things that she has said herself."

After losing control of the White House, as well as additional seats in the Senate and House in November, Thune said he thinks the GOP has moved beyond the public and painful fight for control of the Republican Party.

"We can't be a narrow party, a geographically narrow party, an ideological narrow party," Thune said. "We have to be a party that really has broad appeal. And I think that's the message. And I think that most of our leaders know that."

While Thune and President Obama are politically ideological opposites, they do share a common interest: basketball.

"I am waiting for my invitation though, however, to go down to the White House and get a game going," Thune said with a laugh.

Filed under: Sonia Sotomayor • Supreme Court


Eleanor, Port Orchard, WA   June 9th, 2009 10:55 pm ET

The desperate, despairing, and delusional party of NO-ideas is having delusions of relevancy, once again. Sotomayor will be confirmed, and soon. For once and all, the GOP should pull their heads out of their lame posteriors and get behind something for the good of this country instead of opposing anything and everything. They are becoming a national joke, where once they were simply a national disgrace.

m smith   June 9th, 2009 10:47 pm ET

Yeah right

Veronica   June 9th, 2009 10:40 pm ET

Ah, yes, the Party of No Ideas, No Solutions continues to add to their name: The Party of Obstructionists.

Gee, I don't remember them giving the Dems time to review Ailto or Robert's judicial decisions. I do believe that when the Dems asked for more time, they were threatened with the 'nuclear option'.

Oh, cry me a river, Thune. I feel for you, no, really, I do. My hearts bleeding for you right now, pal ...

Obama is a Disaster   June 9th, 2009 10:09 pm ET

Here's a better idea. How about never ?

TCM   June 9th, 2009 10:00 pm ET

Everyone keeps talking about her ignorant comment...well how about her ignorant judgement? 60% of her cases are overturned by a higher court....60%!!!! She's absolutely a beneficiary of Affirmative Action and cronie favoritism by the Waffleboy....because if she had to stand on her merit and achievement, she might qualify for judging a pie eating contest at the county fair!

Gary   June 9th, 2009 9:58 pm ET

Sounds like typical Republican tactic. Obstruct, delay and ultimatly vote no. The Republican party has become a marginal player, no ideas, nothing constructive, just obstructionists. Too bad.

I am Newt's ex wife   June 9th, 2009 9:51 pm ET

Looked at this statement again.....what is the GOP thinking?

They lost...shut up and play ball or go to a Newt concert

UNHAPPY LA. dem   June 9th, 2009 9:46 pm ET

Hopefully the vote will go against her. She is not a friend of individual rights, thats for sure. And for sure against guns.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   June 9th, 2009 9:40 pm ET

The need to get Sotomayor confirmed as soon as possible is because she needs to get situated in living arrangements for one thing. The work of the court starts before October because they have to read the briefs and decide which cases to take up over the course of the year.

Jane   June 9th, 2009 9:27 pm ET

Good. I am tired of having things shoved down our throats the last few months. It is time for congress (are you listening??) and read through all the details> Don't vote yes on everything because the president wants it –you work for US the Amercian people.

Bill   June 9th, 2009 9:15 pm ET

The Republican are about creating mischief. That is all. They couldn't care less about this country if they can't run it.

David Newport, OR   June 9th, 2009 8:15 pm ET

nothing like trying to get some kind of upper hand.

Michelle   June 9th, 2009 8:14 pm ET

I think this is a stalling tactic. There is no legimate reason why she should not be confirmed.

She is a lawyer and judge, she has no choice but to follow the law.

What you talkin bout, Willis?   June 9th, 2009 8:04 pm ET

As a wise Latina woman who knows more than white men, Judge Sotomayor will have no problem waiting. Hopefully, she won't break anything else in the meantime.

LeAnn Kirrmann   June 9th, 2009 8:03 pm ET

Dear Americans,
Her story is good. I do not know if her decisions are within the Constitution. Time will tell. I am Pro-Life which I believe is a Constitutional Right. All of the time. I doubt she is. I also believe in Private Property Rights and am fairly alarmed with the over use of "Eminent Domain," abuse by our Government. I am alarmed by applying Geneva Conventions on un-uniformed fighters. What will result is no taking of prisoners by our men and women. That will hurt greatly in the long run. Please remember the severed heads of our Marines who went into harms way and will do so in the future.
A Justice who is truly gifted is what is needed here. Justice must consider all. EVERY CITIZEN. Also, keeping prisoners "who cannot be tried does not make sense, either. We need a Justice for our time. And do not forget it is a lifetime appointment.

I am Newt's ex wife   June 9th, 2009 8:03 pm ET

Thune, you are in office only because Karl Rove and the GOP spent millions to ruin the reputation of Dashle.

I got news for you BUB...........she is going to be confirmed and all you GOP naysayers can grandstand all you want. It won't matter so get it done.

OR are you just going to drag things out and get nothing done as usual in the GOP mindset....BARF!!!!

Republicans Are The American Taliban   June 9th, 2009 8:01 pm ET

The Republicans want to do to the Supreme Court what they are doing in Minnesota...stall forever....

Tom   June 9th, 2009 8:00 pm ET

Don't pay any attention to that radical, actor Jon Voight, he is spreading an aggressive tone of hate rhetoric. Jon should be on those high-blood pressure commercials. You are a pig-headed know-nothing who spreads disease from his mouth. Who would YOU rather have in office, that facist totalitarian dictator george bush?

Not your choice   June 9th, 2009 7:51 pm ET

I think this is the majority's decision to make Sen. Thune, not yours.

Joe Terrogano   June 9th, 2009 7:47 pm ET

"We can't be a narrow party, a geographically narrow party, an ideological narrow party," I have bad news for you, that's exactly what you are. You have the broad appeal of a pandemic. Your leadership is is shambles and your spokespersons are myopic ranters. You have the current relevance of a slide rule or a phone booth. And ya know what? She will be confirmed without your vote, you arrogant pinhead!

Tod   June 9th, 2009 7:44 pm ET

Do your job. Why do you need to delay? Maybe we need a part-time congress.

Obama, first non-US citizen President!   June 9th, 2009 7:42 pm ET

No worries, this racist will get voted in no matter what any right minded thinking person wants. What Obama wants, Hussein gets.

Post always rejected by CNN   June 9th, 2009 7:40 pm ET

The democrats have enough votes to approve Sontomayer. The republicans don't have the numbers to filibuster. So why don't they just vote and put them thru...like, roberts and alito were done by bush and his republicans malingers in congress.

J S Ragman   June 9th, 2009 7:39 pm ET

Why not just go ahead and confirm her. Of course that would make to much sense to let her have time to move and get settled in Washington. The GOP continues to add fuel to their obstructionist reputation. Keep up the good work.

Zero.   June 9th, 2009 7:38 pm ET

Borack Obama is as Nuts as Jesus... Well according to all the fairy Tales...

Karen - Missouri   June 9th, 2009 7:35 pm ET

I think it's apalling that the Republicans are once again wasting our tax dollars by blocking, obstructing, delaying our government processes! There is NO reason to delay Sotomayor's nomination. The Repubs are getting more disgusting by the day!!!!! Why don't they care about the rest of this country? They're just putting on an act that they care. Repubs cannot cry about wasteful spending then they be the actual ones who are wasting time and money and our national security of our political process! I strongly dislike (to put it mildly) the Republicans more with every time they open their mouths and act stupidly.

Independent   June 9th, 2009 7:33 pm ET

Thune's website is nothing more than a vehicle for right-wingers to anonymously launch personal attacks and ad hominems against Sotomayor. By providing mindless dittoheads with this platform, Thune is engaging in a transparent attempt to pander to the far right. Whatever happened to honesty and civility in our political discourse?

I am The Great and Powerful Wizard of Rush   June 9th, 2009 7:33 pm ET

More from the party of no.

The problem with Sotomayor is that she isn't progressive enough.

Praying for the retirement of Thomas, Alito, Roberts or Scalia.
Please, God.

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