(CNN) - As Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor continues to make the rounds on Capitol Hill, at least one senator is refusing to meet with her.
Sen. James Inhofe, the Oklahoma Republican who previously voted against Sotomayor's current post as a federal appeals court judge, told the Tulsa World Thursday it is a "foregone conclusion" that he would not support Obama's pick for the high court.
"If you voted against anyone on the circuit [court], I have never been able to see how you turn around when the bar is actually higher and support it at a higher level," Inhofe also said.
So when it came time for Sotomayor to meet with Inhofe to discuss her judicial philosophy, the Oklahoman declined.
"The reason is he already knows how he is going to vote and it's probably best not to take up her time, she's very busy," Inhofe communications director Jared Young told CNN.
Meanwhile, fellow Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, also a Republican, met with Sotomayor Thursday, having what he described as a "philosophical discussion" with the high court nominee.
"It was more a philosophical discussion [about] life, problems in our country, difficulties we face," Coburn said.
Inhofe isn't the first Republican to explicitly proclaim his opposition to Sotomayor. Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts - who also voted against Sotomayor's nomination to the appeals court 11 years ago - said late last month he would again oppose her. A spokeswoman for Roberts did not know if the Kansas Republican has plans to meet with the nominee.
Sotomayor has met with more than 70 senators since Obama tapped her for the Supreme Court late last month.
From CNN Politics
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Oklahoma should be embarrassed!
Mr. Inhofe has the right to oppose her and I dont blame him. What a poor decision by OBAMA and this is just one of the many poor decisions the Prez has made and there will be many more to come....Stay Tuned!!!!
The fact that Inhofe is going to vote against Sotomayor only makes her a better pick in my book.
Yet again Republicans shows how unbending they are, they simply cannot change and keep up with the times, just got to keep the ole ball and chain going, and going, and going!
Thank GOD we still have elected officials with a good head on their shoulders! Kudos to you Sen. Inhofe! What a breath of fresh air.
Inhofe is just another Republican who thinks he's royalty. Moron.
Inhofe is an angry, bitter, closed-minded old man whose time is well past. I guess anyone meeting with him would be wasting their time.
Typical Republican. Stubborn to a fault, and willing to make decisions without hearing all the information.
He was right in his reasoning. If you feel someone is not qualified for a lower job, how could you justify supporting them for a higher job? Talking to her regarding support would be meaningless. She knows he didn't support her before, where's her logic in wanting to meet and talk with him hoping he'll support her now? Someone is in la la land, and I don't think it's Senator Inhofe. This is not a bash democrat or bash republican article. It's purely logical reasoning. He voted against her LONG before President Obama selected her for the Supreme Court replacement, so he's not simply going against what Obama wants. Obama had nothing to do with his non-support before, so he has nothing to do with his non-support now. Surely, he is not the only one that is not supporting her.
Don't clutter this guy's "mind" with any facts. They call 'em okies for a reason. And to think, this guy and his like ran the country the last 8 years!
Typical Republican.....he's above everybody and everything. Inhofe is a Twit!
Isn't he something!!! Who in the world put this person in a leadership role??? This is why REPUBS are in trouble!!!l
Perhaps he's concerned that she might be able to sway his opinions and make him reconsider his views. Oh well, I'm sure this makes the 26% happy.
Look who's racist. Which is it senator Inhofe, is it because she is a woman, hispanic or both?
anyone to declines to meet with someone else, doesn't have the right to be in the goverment. i mean that from either side. they are grand-standing and playing like they are so great – just their attitudes show they are not. i support Ms. Sotomayor more than ever now.
And the Republicans wonder why they aren't liked anymore......just look Inhofe's way!
What do you expect from a racist biggot? By the way CNN still keeps discriminating my messages.
I don't think Inhofe has the intellect to meet with anyone. How did he every get elected?
Screw the Repukes! Get rid of all of them!
Still the Party of No!
Mississippi Mike - June 19th, 2009 3:30 pm ET
It's been proven that she is a racist and sexist.......
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It HAS been proven?
When?......and by who?!?!?!?
Headline reads "Republican"...no bias there. Read the Washington Post this morning...Latina editorial against her...this elitist belongs to an exclusive all female club...jus another of her double standards...but hey, Kool-Aid drinkers will luv her because that is what they are told to do...
Conservatives will never realize that their brand of politics does not sell anymore. They need a new mantra, a new voice and some IQ may help.
Anyone who is not blindly following Obama can see, by her own statements, that she is prejudiced and, therefore, has no place on the Supreme Court. Come on liberals, just face the facts.
Too bad, they are still filled with terrible discolored biases. It is time to look betond making news. Tut Tut.