CNN

[...] gender into the equation is a "no-no" according to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who was slightly offended when Sotomayor suggested that "a wise Latina woman could make a better decision than a white [...]

I found Senator Leahy comments of the introductions of Sotomayor very biasedat the very least. It has been proven she is biased and does NOT follow the CONSTITUTION!!! Sotmayor is a very intelligent women and has risen above all odds, BUT that doesn't mean you can ignore FACTS!!!!

jaye ... if you think Lindsay Graham is a CONSERVATIVE republican, then you need to look up the definition of conservative.

Sonja has character and intelligence. Lindsey has neither. Sonja will be a long serving justice who will bring honor to the country. To the Republicans, go for it. You have the opportunity to lose two space for the price of one.

Sotomayor has shown me she is more than qualified to be a supreme court justice. Also, who doesn't like her background and story?

Seriously!

The accusations of Sotomayor as a 'biased justice' are a little stupid. The Supreme court very rarely decides anything unanimously. There is one law, but multiple interpretations of it – this is why Ginsberg tends to have a liberal slant to her rulings, Scalia tends to be neocon – because it reflects their interpretation of the law based on their ideaology.

Look at abortion. It's legal, but Conservative judges will tend to rule against it when there is room to. Are they biased? They are interpreting the law as their ideaology allows.

Obviously ones race does affect ones beliefs!!! I am WHITE and because I am WHITE I have certain beliefs based on the fact that I am WHITE!!! SO WHY THE HECK SHOULD MISS SONYA NOT HAVE BELEIFS BASED ON BEING LATIN??????????????????? Anyone who says that their race does not affect their belief is either delusional, completely stupid, or a liar! The fact is that Miss Sanya is a competant and intelligent woman, who is Latin. And my being Latin she will have different views about things. It is just a fact and there is absolutely nothing the heck wrong with it! So get this woman confirmed and move on to fixing the economy and the senseless war!

And the GOP doesn't play the racecard as well??
Please.
Get this confirmation over with.

Hypocritical repukes have a lot of "empathy" for Cheney and other GOP lawbreakers. Bush had "empathy" for Lewis "Scooter" Libby and gave him clemency so he could avoid the prison sentence the judge gave him. Empathy for those who authorized illegal waterboarding and illegal warrantless wiretapping. The Far-RIght Repukes are against the Rule of Law when their buddies break the law.

You liberals are like a pack of rabid dogs. You hear Republican and you start biting. You might consider listening to what they say. He was complimenting her!

Too bad. Sotomayor shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the Supreme Court.

Graham is the ultimate hillbilly,he doesnt have a clue.hahahaha

what's a hoot is this woman could be as dumb as a box of rocks...and because she's hispanic...she's the 'one."

I'd be upset if I were hispanic, that she's not being selected on her merit, but because of her gender and race. If she were white, she would'n't have been selected at all...

Thanks for the pandering to hispanics, and exhibition of racism, Obama!

@tedious898 – are you really that ignorant, or just having a bad day?

There is no such thing as an unbiased human.

Therefore we should not try to hold Justices to an unreasonable standard. What is important is whether she or any justice can make decisions that run counter to her biases.

Her record seems to indicate that she is capable of doing so.

There does not seem to be any justification why she would not be confirmed.

@ Critical Thinker -

Wow...a liberal being a hypcrite...imagine that...

The liberal hate machine is out in full force...... Graham actually said something positive about Judge Sotomayor.... can anyone remember the last time a liberal said something nice about a conservative???? I didn't think so......

Lindsay Graham seems to be one of the few Republicans who grasps reality. I wonder how long it will be before Rush Limbaugh kicks him out of the party.

EVERY speech from the GOP senators was laced in BIGOTRY.

How can the 'religious right' justify supporting such a party? It can't be done with a clear conscious.

white folks up in arms because someone brown about to get in power; to bad I won't live long enough to see the white race become a minority in this country; I guess just like it was when those ships landed at Plymouth Rock; the red man was in the majority; of course that didn't count because the white man discovered this country; yea right! all I can say, it is about time! Even if this lady was white the bigots would be up in arms, why, because Obama nominated her; get over it white america, don't let it consume you!

Soto said something about latinos being smart because they are latinos. As a white man, I think that latino girl is an idiot.

No way am I biased becuase I'm white, and republican and as such, a racist. I just think Latino's and Women are no good when they talk about it being good to be either a latino or a woman.

We need to make sure women and latinos never have power.....because us GOP's Rich white dudes know whats best!

[...] and has anyone ELSE noticed that the same Republicans who are saying judges should NEVER legislate from the bench or [...]

Sotomayor will be confirmed, republicans are like promiscuous teenagers trying to get into the action but they have been FIRED by the American people, this time THE GROWNUPS are in CHARGE

What's wrong with Puerto Rico, waitandseeindie? A "third world hellhole?" Really?

Your inability to understand the context of her statement, in conjunction with a clear lack of knowledge concerning her positions and work over the years, makes your comment moot at best. Perhaps that's just my "racism" talking as I am a New York Latina as well and that's my father's home you're referring to.

What I love is a bunch of white males telling a Hispanic woman what to think and how to act. I kind of think that pictures says everything.

This is very curious. Sotomayer was nominated and installed by Bush 1, she has a 20 year record on the bench, and is ranked as qualified by professional groups. Yet, the Republicans want to halt her nomination – I suppose just because they are the "party of no!", despite the fact she came to the bench by Republicans years back, and all they have to play is the race thing. So where is the upside for them? They WANT to look like racists?

Critical Thinker: You're right on target with Graham's veiled loyalty to Sanford. Graham plays both sides of the fence whenever possible because of his "double life". Do you really think SC, in all its bigotted glory, would elect a GAY republican to Congress? Only if the opposition was a black democrat...I say this as a lifelong SC resident, white middle-aged professional woman who also happens to be fiercely independent and left leaning. If politicians like Graham and Sanford and others in recent scandals weren't such hypocrits, they'd have a lot more respect.

The Republican members of the Senate committee are singing the same old familiar tune: we are for principled decisions based upon the constitution. and of course the decisions made by the four white Catholics and one dyed-in-white wool judge are not related to their background and upbringing. of course they lied at their hearings that they will uphold precedents; but hey they were "principled" lies. Same as we all do every day – sound sanctimonious and act prejudiced. The 5 to 4 decisions that elected George W. Bush and brought Alioto and Roberts, all of course principled Catholics who believe in Catholic principles. Even Hatch and Graham, Grassley, the so called moderates are principled phonies. Sessions and Kyl don't even pretend to be principled. Actually, they are all for principles – only theirs. AND THEY LOST THE ELECTION. We were told by the same cabal when Alioto and Roberts were nominated that elections had consequences. So, hey guys, remember you said that? Or does it not apply to you? Why should it!

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA July 13th, 2009 11:59 am ET
You republican senators are walking a fine line. We all know she'll get confirmed. I just want to see how ruthless yu republicans are going to get.
------------------------------–
1. I agree she will be confirmed!
2. The GOP wil be no more or no less ruthless than the democrats has been! You have seemed to forgotten the ruthlessness of the democrats or doesn't that count??

Graham is a BIGGOT. He always has been.

GOP = Party of hate, biggotry and clueless

DEMOCRATS are the joke here, except for the fisacl responsible "BLUE DOG" deomocrats.

What don't you keep up with your "DEFICIT SPENDING" and Taxes?

I've started my rebellion by refusing to pay anymore tax increased by cheating on my taxes, just like the democrats.

All the DUMOCRATS who made fun of BUSH, who was not as fiscally responsible as I wanted, seem to ignore OBUMMERS tripling of the DEFICIT in less than 6 months and the huge FAILURE to create jobs with his joke of a PORKULUS STIMULUS bill.

Now, we're going to have a racist dumb idiot on the court who COMPLETED FAILED to be objective and non-racist in the CONN FIRE FIGHTER case. Who can TALK all you want, but actions speak louder than words, and we've seen this racist PIG in action.

Graham is an idiot. And that drawl makes him sound even dumber.

Ms. Sotomayer will do fine. She's very intelligent. She'll be confirmed.

I can't believe how the Republicans, time after time, give people reasons not to vote for them.

@Alma July 13th, 2009 12:43 pm ET
The GOP Bigotry couldn't get any more obvious!
----------------------------
1. Bigotry is NOT limited to the GOP!
2. Give me an example of the GOP bigotry from these hearings!
3. If Hatch's words were bigotted, remember he was repeating the words of then Senator Obama! In short, if these words are bigotted today, they were biggoted when first utterred by then Senator Obama!
4. Your are parroting the usual liberal talking points and can't prove any of them!

What does it really matter, anyway, the Justice system in America has eroded to the point of nothingness...it is so broken, it cannot be fixed.

jaye July 13th, 2009 12:45 pm ET

Graham is a sniveling poor excuse for a senator – he backed Palin to the fullest knowing good and well she's unfit to lead our country, so, he needs to just shut-up about Sotomayor.
I don't respect anything he says. Period.

Well said Jaye! Palin also shows that McCains judgement is flawed BIG TIME

Well if this is already a foregone conclusion, why are they wasting their time and taxpayer dollars on this charade? Kind of a bonehead comment by Graham, but then again, anyone who knows Graham is getting used to them.

@jaye Uh dude, where have you been. There is no sweating, it is a done deal. Plain and simple. You comment is irrelevant. Haha.

I agree with KirksNoseHair (although I consider myself a Blue Dog, Fiscally Convervative, not a fan of spread the wealth, but do believe in helping out our fellow Americans with social programs), my fellow democrats need to stop with the hate...

Let it go, let me repeat, let it go....we won, no need to gloat...The Liberals are starting to make us look like a party of bullies, which is why we hated the Republicans for 8 years.

Senator Sessions
Senator Graham
Senator Cornyn
Senator Coburn (religious ADVISOR to Senator Ensign)
Sentaor McConnell
Senator Shelby
etc. etc.

THESE WHITE MEN ARE NOTHING BUT SORE LOSERS, SORE LOSERS, SORE LOSERS, SORE LOSERS!!

These clowns RUSHED to confirm Judge Roberts when Roberts compared being a Supreme Court Judge as being an "UMPIRE" calling strike outs and foul balls. WHAT? WHAT? He's going to judge like a baseball game?

AND yet they have the nerve bash and trash a Hispanic Minority Woman? Republicans are setting themselves up for a BIG LOSS in 2010. Hispanics will remember what a HARD time they gave one of their own.

Republicans would do well to leave this woman alone.

They are too full of themselves to see how this plays with the Asian, Latino, Black observers.

It use to be that minorities where denied access to the halls of power because they lacked impeccable credentials. The argument against them use to be that they hadn't graduated from the "right school" and that they didn't have enough time in the "right" prerequisite job. Those claims can not be levelled against Judge Sotomayor.

Now they've tried to move the criteria to false, out-of-context, claims of bias, etc. Well, we're not buying GOP and all you are doing is making it less likely that we will EVER vote for any of you when you run for office.

As a former Federal judge, she is once of the most qualified SCJ nominee in the past 100 years. That's what so many people will see ... the same people the GOP needs to make a comeback as a political force. Be smart and stop digging the hole.

There is much that concerns us about you, Graham.

@Sniffit July 13th, 2009 11:59 am ET
So that's the GOP's strategy? Try to make her have a meltdown? Talk about telegraphing it
----------------------------
Stop stirring stuff up! Stick with what has been actually said. You sound like a reporter for the National Enquirer!

@Tedious898 I think you forget that the final popular vote was 52.8% for Obama, which isn't a landslide by any stretch of the Imagination. It is just as close as any of the past 2 Bush Elections.

But that aside, Sotomayor is not my pick of Justice that I hoped President Obama would have picked. I suspect he is pandering to the Latino vote for 2012, because he really needs to shore up his base. A lot of Independents are considering "other" options in 2012. I myself am secretly hoping Hillary Clinton considers a run for it, because I think once the magic and glitz of the last election wear off, a lot of us like me feel that Obama was not as great as he purported to be...I am just saying.

He better get his act together, because with a filibuster proof Senate, nobody can blame the Republicans anymore. But I bet our Liberal Nutjobs in our party will find some kooky way to do it. And the Rightwingers will find a way to blame everything on this Administration. We need a party for sane moderates. Anyone disagree?

The "party of no" is on the attack and displaying the same divisive attributes that have lost them the Executive and both houses during the last two elections.

Their outward hostility and bitterness will make her inevitable confirmation all the sweeter!

The GOP argument against her, using a dumb line twisted out of a years old speech, is so flimsy but that's all they got.

And speaking of stupid I don't think you can get any worse than Lindsey-looks and talks like a girl-Graham. I'm surpised he was able to pull his nose out of John McCain's backside for 5 minutes to rant against Sotomayor

everyone just needs to get over that phrase. its as if "wise Latina blah blah blah" was the only mantra Judge Sotomayor ever follows. It's the only thing anyone can grab onto and criticize from a very qualified individual. look at the rest of her judicial record. you may not agree with some of her decisions, but that doenst make her unqualified to be a supreme court justice.

like the GOP has been doing and continues to do

or

simply put, "have a Palin moment"

Jim – The Supreme Court is not in place to make statements on people's intentions and state of mind. The Supreme Court rules on the Constitutionality of laws and whether or not they infringe upon our rights. Showing apathy towards a specific group by a Supreme Court judge means bending the language of the Constitution to give better treatment towards one segment of the population while alienating another segment.

Here's the "POT" calling the Ketttle Black.

oh orrin you do like to hatch rotten eggs. it appears they are going to preach this women to death

We need this woman in order to keep some sense of balance in the court. As long as the fat-head (Scalia) is on the court, there needs to be some semblance of justice.

The rethuglican have no choice but to confirm her. They would like you to think otherwise and will put on a grand performance for all, but if they don't confirm her they know it is political suicide for the entire party, and they already have a noose around their neck because of all the recent rethuglican affairs, resignations, racist remarks, and on and on and on and on and on and on.

I am getting to where I kind of like Lindsay Graham. He is appearing more and more level headed every day. All of you right-wing kooks might want to stop and listen.

You guys need to get your facts straight. She has had 6 of 7 rulings overturned by the Supreme court. Her bias is clear and yet you lib Kool-aid drinkers don't want to see it. Obama's choices for everything so far have been pathetic. But then again, what could I expect?

When you have 8 dwarfs on the current Court with the same school experience, the same professional experience and the same friends who all seem to be rich white guys like themselves, is it not surprising that they find the way to approve the requests of the Executive which is also composed of the same demographic?

It is surprising that the Legislative branch, which at one time was co-equal to the Executive would have noted the need for a variety of backgrounds and experiences on the Court. To do otherwise is to have the Court's discussions in an echo chamber, each reinforcing their actiivist CONSERVATIVE views. Certainly can't have someone with a broader view of the world and experience including court experience trying to use Supreme Court opinions actually be involved in the decision making.

Oh, and by teh way, she is Latino.

Reading CNN Blogs today and was shocked to see people actively threatening CNN. The fringe community of the south is at it again.
Good luck Sonia Sotomayor.

@ Slider

Sen. Graham also acknowledged how he nor his republican colleagues doesn't support Sotomayor because she is on the left of issues as he also acknowledged that democrats will not support Judge Estrada because he's on the right of issues. It's fair game, but she must be given a fair hearing as Sen. Graham said. How fair it's gong to be is beyond me. Republican and fair and don't belong in the same sentence.

What person, judge or otherwise, does not bring their own personal experiences and, yes, biases, to their jobs? I mean really. No one has a built in switch to turn them on and off. All we can hope for with a judge is that they do their best to remain neutral and uphold the law; whatever 'the law' may be at the time. Racially biased 'laws' were upheld by the majority of the 109 (of 111) White Supreme Court Justices. All of this bucking is nothing but fear of seeing yet another historically White stronghold (just like the White House) slip out of their grasp, and join the 21st century.

Obama's hypocrisy abounds... Hatch even quoted Obama's opposition to Janice Brown in 2005, but four short years later and the shoe is on the other foot. Perhaps Obama didn't mean what he said back then the way Sotomayor could have said things differently every time she said she was more qualified to judge than a white male. The GOP is in a no-win situation, the Dems have created the perfect storm. God help us all.

I have an idea. Let's get rid of thirty of the Republican Senators – who do nothing but harm to the nation – and replace them with thirty like Sotomayor.

While Sotomayor may have an imperfection or two, her stature is quite a bit more impressive than any of the knee-high Conservative Senators who are interrogating her.

All things are relative. I wish we could elect and select only perfect office holders, but we have to settle for people who are pretty good but have some character flaws nevertheless. One lesson of human nature is that big personalities tend to have big flaws too. Sam Houston was a drunk. Albert Einstein's children wouldn't speak to him. John Kennedy liked the girls. Lyndon Johnson was a egotistical, arrogant, and crude.

Only small people are without blemish.

Hey, Bigot Graham, why don't you tell your Buddy Kyl to wear his Jacket. There is a Lady present who has probably a lot more Brains then the both of you, including Bigot Sessions.

If she is confirmed by hook or crook, she would do well to steer clear of the path taken by that bozo-Al Gonzales, appointed by "W". Her comments on Latino women comparin' with white male is something else for the grillin' committee, to dwell upon or not.

President Obama is running circles around the GOP with this nomination. The GOP has lost any hope of ever becoming a majority party ever again by alienating the hispanic vote.

They have blind spot for the real issues facing America and have become purely a fear driven, reactionary party, thanks to the partisan incompetence of the GWB years.

Butch Dillon July 13th, 2009 12:31 pm ET

Graham and Sessions are two of the most bigoted southern drawlers in the Senate. What a treat it is NOT hearing the whine that emanates from those red neck peckerwoods.
--------------
My.......Butch Dillion........don't you have a nice constructive comment (not). Before you post perhaps you should take the dog for a walk. That fresh air might just clear your mind of hate.

Get us a picture from a better vantage point...I wanna see Boehner in the background with his red pompoms stomping his feet and cheering his team for every imbecilic misleading reference to out-of-context quotes and superficial analysis of complicated legal decisions they make.

I wish someone would explain to the Senators on the judiciary committee the difference between empathy and sympathy. Sympathy is agreeing with someones point of view. Empathy is simply understanding their point of view from their perspective. Empathy is an acquired skill. When Obama talks about being empathetic, it is an attempt to understand both sides positions from their perspective. In the example of the 13 year old girl that was strip searched, an empathetic person would be able to understand both points of view; the 13 year old girl and the schools.

I'd like people to remember that Senator Leahy began these proceedings by playing the race card in his opening speech.

I'd also like to thank Senator Hatch for remembering another well-qualified hispanic candidate by the name of Miguel Estrada.

I'd like those that are proud of Sotomayor's race and revelling in the part that plays in these proceedings to remember that just as Leahy has ushered in the race card with the current judicial candidate, Leahy also initiated the race card during the Estrada confirmation to the Circuit Court. The difference in the two people, and the discussion of race was markedly different.

I encourage all to view the Democrat treatment of Sotomayor and Estrada, and to see how the two differed with respect to race and identification politics.

I understand the media, including CNN, do not wish to go over that disgraceful disparity, choosing instead to harken upon Sotomayor's "life story" while helping Democrats destroy Estrada.

Maybe that is just one of the reasons why no one in this country trusts the media anymore.

Ahhhhhhhhhh Just what we need ! A biased Justice.
We are dummy-ing down again.
Just so we can have a "little bit" of ?everyone sitting ?
How cool is that?
After all THIS IS AMERICA isn't it.?

I have read the whole infamous "wise latina" speech and I have to say the Republican arguments are thin at best. They would better serve their voters by reviewing rulings and official actions rather than pick at sound-bites.

Also, since when is empathy a bad thing? Judges are regular called upon to making rulings on people's intentions and states of mind. That requires being able to see from another's viewpoint, which is the very definition of empathy. Empathy only becomes sympathy and bias when its only applied to one side of the case, which neither Sotomayor or Obama have advocated for.

A long response made short: stop trying to put words in people's mouths and deal with the facts.

Is it really, truly necessary, folks, to disparage each other and call each other names?

Look, I'm an admitted tree-hugging, liberal, tax and spend, socialist, spread the wealth, Democrat, but I don't feel any need to call those on the other side of the political spectrum any names or insult them.

Everyone's entitled to their worldview, can we get past all of the vitriol and maybe just, you know, have an adult conversation about these things, for once?

Now, as for this particular nominee to the Supreme Court, from what I can tell from the information I've seen, she's qualified for the job, although I admit her speech (yes, her ENTIRE speech) does display a bit of bias.

But at the end of the day, the Dems have the votes, so Graham is actually right, unless she flips out something while being questions (e.g. has a "meltdown" ) she's in.

So why don't my Democratic friends take a chill pill, ok?

That's it Graham, throw in the towel right up front.

Get a back bone why don't you.

Graham is a sniveling poor excuse for a senator – he backed Palin to the fullest knowing good and well she's unfit to lead our country, so, he needs to just shut-up about Sotomayor.
I don't respect anything he says. Period.

"Unless you have a complete meltdown, you're going to get confirmed," Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in his opening statement at the confirmation hearing for Sotomayor, a federal appellate judge.

Any meltdown is more likely to come from morons like Lindsay Graham and Jeff Sessions.

The GOP Bigotry couldn't get any more obvious!

So 20+ year of Judicial Experience and hundreds of speeches later, this confirmation hearing from the Republican side seems to be geared towards the so called "Wise Latina" comment. It is fair to ask her A Question about it but to make it a central point seems simply ridiculous to me. Is this what we have become? I blame the media coverage for this. They had plenty of time to do a full on hour-long bio on her that explains some of the randomly chosen cases... Instead, they stick with Democrats and Republican talking points. Can the real news reporters please stand up?

A meltdown? Would he say that to a male judge up for confirmation? I think not! Keep talking rethuglican senators, and you will push the last few female and Hispanic republican voters with any self-respect away from your party.

Of course she will make her judicial decision based on the interpetation of law. I wonder is it because she is woman that they aren't sure she understands the methods and practices of judicial review. And while she may find it necessary to practice honorable and respectful behavior in the public eye, she is human and an American citizen with the right to speak her mind outside the court room. But I quess the question is, "Can this little lady make a court decision without bringing in her 'emotional baggage' ?". Oh give me a break. How long has she been on the bench and how many of these senators are or were lawyers? She is a self made professional woman who happens to be Latino, it is about time. So let's get on with it.

There is nothing wrong with a bias opinion on the supreme court!! A progressively bias opinion that is...

Why are they even having the hearings when it's already a done deal. The Democrats have enough of a majority that they could put Rev. Wright in as a Supreme Court Justice if they wanted too.

The racist republican nazis are out in full force.....looks like the 'white party republicans" are sweating over this confirmation.

Graham and Sessions are two of the most bigoted southern drawlers in the Senate. What a treat it is NOT hearing the whine that emanates from those red neck peckerwoods.

Lindsey Graham...another CONSERVATIVE republican who dosen't want to spend money on health care for everyone, yet, he porked up a new convention center for his home state. LOL
These republicans are disgusting creatures that talk out both sides of their mouths.
Has he come out of the closet yet???? LOLOL

Sotomayor never said her experience makes her "better" than anyone else; she was saying that she could bring insight to cases involving women or Latinos that a white man couldn't by virtue of never having walked in those shoes.

She also never said – and her 18-year record shows – that she would ever put her personal views ahead of the law.

If Sotomayor was such a dangerous, loose cannon, she would not have lasted as long as she has on the bench, and the percentage of her cases overturned would be much, much higher.

As it is, she's pretty average when it comes to her cases being overturned.

In other words, she's qualified and trustworthy.

Lindsey Graham...another CONSERVATIVE republican who dosen't want to spend money on health care for everyone, yet, he porked up a new convention center for his home state. LOL
These republicans are disgusting creatures that talk out both sides of their mouths.
Has he come out of the closet yet????

Thinly veiled bigotry.

@ Wiser than you who said that a vote for Sotomayor was a vote for reverse discrimination.

Huh???? She's totally qualified; has one of the lowest percentages of her cases reversed by the Supreme Court at the time of her confirmation (see Judge Ito with 100% reversal rate). And remember it wasn't just White firefighters that she ruled against, there were Hispanic firefighters in the group also. So again, huh????

Is it just me, or does Lindsay Graham look like the love child of Dan Quayle and Howdy Doody? He's got their intellectual capacity, so it isn't too far a stretch

These Repubicans are looking for any thing to stop Sonia Sotomayor. I have heard worst things said about blacks from these same racist Repubicans when President Obama was running for President. Also, President Obama is playing chest with these racicst for and they don't even know that yet. A trap have been set by the Obama Administration and the Republicans just like stepping in it.

Gee, thank you so much Sen. Graham. As if you have choice!

We have seen a lot of "meltdown" recently from Gov. Mark Sanford, Senator Ensign and Sarah Pain-Lin; so this dimwit senator Lindsey Graham must be familiar with this republiklans tamed code word for schizophrenic; the only thing I am waiting for NEXT is when Senator Graham gonna get a big meltdown and be honest with the American people by coming out of the closet?!!!

she's a fine person? Just not a good judge. wake up everyone, she is obviously biased against white people.

@ Tom, who asked "No summary of any of the Democractic Senators on the judiciary committee????"

That wouldn't be "controversy" now would it? CNN will focus primarily on the "controversial" statements to stir the pot: it generates more clicking and viewership for their adverstising masters.

We are not bigots just because you don't like our stand on affirmative action and like practices. Such practices are hurting this country as well as the minorities that they are supposed to help. How does it make this country better if the most qualified are shut out over some minority? And how does it help the minority communities if the less qualified is promoted over the qualified?

Do you not want to succeed on your character and qualifications rather than on skin color, gender, or sexual preference? I sure do. I want to be the best and if I am not, then I want to become the best.

Of course Sotomayor will be confirmed because she is well qualified. All of this hot air from Repugs is just pandering to the racist far-right fringe that controls the GOP. Having an intelligent, extremely well qualified Latina judge who follows the law on the Supreme Court will be a great benefit for all Americans. Only the racists oppose her.

Oops! I accidentally referred to Gov. Sanford as Sen. in my previous post regarding the gay Sen. Graham attacking Sonia. My bad!

A vote for Sotomayor is a vote for reverse discrimination. Do it Lindsey and you're done as SC's senator.

No summary of any of the Democractic Senators on the judiciary committee????

Hmmm – interesting statistics on Justice Roberts.

Thanks Toobin.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a closet gay, should support Sonia Sotomayor since she advocates gay rights. Plus, Lindsey's gay life and his desire to conceal it because he is a conservative Republican is why he is afraid to call for Sen. Sanford's resignation. The fear of outing by Gov. Sanford is a powerful defensive political weapon held by the Gov. who supposedly is a Christian and anti-gay. Stalemate for now.

Now this becoming a confirmation of President Obama's legal view?

Get a great you GOP sleaze balls.....America voted for Obama.

Americans are tired of the GOP hypocracy. Why do you use this opportunity to push out your biggoted views? We've all heard it before.

Most likely she will the GOP doesn't play these things as nasty as the libs do. I wish they would treat her like the libs treated Bush's nominees, but unfortunately they are to decent to act like democrats.

Let's see now. Graham is from South Carolina. Hey, wait a minute. Isn't this the state that propelled Obama to the Presidency?

There they go again taking her comments out of context

Don't sweat the small stuff, Graham - to quote you "It's about politics".

Maybe that's the problem. This nation elects representatives for US, not for political parties. However, we don't get what we pay for.

Senator Graham -

Do our country a favor and SHUT UP. You Sir, are nothing but a HYPOCRITE and a BIGGOT. You have done nothing but complain, complain and complain about everything Democrats do or did and YET when you had control of the White House and Congress, you didn't give a rats behind about what was BEST FOR THE COUNTRY while YOUR PARTY spent like DRUNKEN SAILORS and NOMINATED WHOEVER YOU WANTED.

So please spare us your holier than though righteous speech, you are NOT without blame and shame Senator.

Let's see now. Graham is from South Carolina. Hey, wait a minute. Isn't this the state that has a Confederate flag hanging at it's state capitol building?

And, he has the nerve to call someone a racist? Graham, you and your lousy state stink to high heaven.

You republican senators are walking a fine line. We all know she'll get confirmed. I just want to see how ruthless yu republicans are going to get. They keep bringing up the Berkley speech, but they only read the excert. Why not tread the ENTIRE speech as the democratic senator did?

Lindsey Graham is pandering to bigots out of one side of his mouth while trying not to lose ALL the votes and support from females, hispanics, all people of color, and PEOPLE WHO CONSIDER BIGOTRY to be WRONG.

Lindsey – It was obvious and it looks like you just lost.

So that's the GOP's strategy? Try to make her have a meltdown? Talk about telegraphing it...