Gingrich: Sotomayor 'racist,' should withdraw nomination
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/06/art.newt.jpg caption="Gingrich tweeted that Sotomayor is a 'latina woman racist.'"]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Rush Limbaugh isn't the only one calling Sonia Sotomayor a racist. Newt Gingrich is, too - and he's demanding that Obama's pick to the Supreme Court withdraw her nomination.
On Twitter, Gingrich pointed to a line in Sotomayor's 2001 speech to a Hispanic group in Berkeley that has drawn fire from some conservatives.
"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life," Sotomayor said in that speech, describing how life experience can inform judicial opinions.
On Wednesday, Gingrich tweeted: "Imagine a judicial nominee said 'my experience as a white man makes me better than a latina woman.' new racism is no better than old racism."
Moments later, he followed up with the message: "White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw."
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs responded to Gingrich's criticism at Wednesday's briefing.
"I think it is probably important for anybody involved in this debate to be exceedingly careful with the way in which they've decided to describe different aspects of this impending confirmation," Gibbs said.
He's right. Just because she is a Latino woman doesn't mean she is qualified. I guess it's only racist when it involves white people.
She is racist. Just read stuff written by her or said by her.
Racist, sexist, ill tempered and frequently overturned, besides believing that laws should come from judicial and not legislative process. But that's alright. Funny how the dems rejected women and hispanics that Bush proposed, but they are willing to play the race and gender card at the slightest legitimate opposition to this one. But then they are dope smokin' libs.
I'm simply disappointed how this country has sunk into the swamp of name-calling and intolerance.
Get a life Newt.
Ridiculous and absurd, taking the context of a speech from 8 years ago, taking only a couple of statements, and blowing them out of proportion. Another example of Republicans looking, searching, praying for something to bring down Democrats. Newt has lost his credibility since he chummed up with Sean Hannity much like Karl Rove lacks credibility.
Good for Newt...stating the obvious...outside of some rural whites the majority of racism is found among peoples of color (and not just against whites)..why is this accepted?...MLK would hate to see how far equality has fallen....intersting that the White House is issuing a 'warning'...just like in the campaign, they were the only ones allowed to talk about race or use race as an issue to inflame the public.
Here's my problem with all of this: in what context was the comment made? Sounds like she was responding to a remark/question. Secondly, the GOP has been so unnecessarily against ANYTHING this new administration has tried to accomplish that quite frankly I don't care what they think. They have worn me out.
Her comments won't be considered racist, because it's not politically correct to be European American. It's not politically correct to be proud of your race, unless you're NOT European American.
She has an amazing life story. And has been through things that quite a few of us will never understand. But, she is not color-blind. Justice should be color-blind. It shoud look at the facts of the case, not the facts of the case based on the color of the defendants.
But then, I'm not terribly politically correct.
I think that the Republican Party is taking this too far. Justice Sotomayor was obviously stating that the experiences gained by being a Latina woman has given her experiences that a white man would not have to endure, and that helps her in making good decisions as a judge. She is in no way saying that a white man can't make a good decision, only that she is proud of her heritage, and that it has helped her become the admirable person that she is today.
I do believe when she made that statement she was speaking about a white male not being able to reach a conclusion based on a latina woman. Of course a latina woman, having lived "that" life would be able to reach a better conclusion. Blowing smoke and listing to too much Rush there Grinchy boy?
A racist is a racist is a racist. Racism runs in all directions and from and to every quarter of society. This nominee made a racist remark. Her remark is not only racist but it is even more alarming as this is a Supreme Court nominee saying she will consider gender and ethnic background in deciding cases, and that is not only racist, but unconstitutional. Justice is supposed to be blind. We do not need an affirmative action activist on the Supreme Court. She should withdraw now.
Too late Newt..Rush already called her a racist...he is the ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS...lol
I guess they know a racist when they see one..after all, they look in the mirror everyday!!
People of color are enculturated and understand what it means to be white in America because especially in the past , the news, TV shows, newspapers, textbooks and magazines only showed that perspective. Sotomayor has been enculturated into the broader society whereas an older white male does not have the same exposure to what it is like to grow up in a society where most of people in power are white men. As a caucasian, I don't find that racist or insulting that Sotomayor said that. I know what she meant and unlike, Newt, I'm not looking for a reason to hate her because is Obama's nominee or a woman of color.
If Gingrich is going to call her racist, why not throw in sexist as well? She did, after all, refer to a white male as opposed to a Hispanic female.
ok so I guess this is going to be the GOP 's calling card now by calling this woman a racist or a reverse racist. Hearing the GOP calling ANYBODY a racist to me is a big joke. Especially with people like Rush in their party and Gov Palin allowing her crowd to call President Obama all those names and just smiled and did nothing.
No, Newt you got it wrong again! You're the "intellect" and your compadre, Rush, is the "reverse intellect"...
Newt, Newt, Newt.... Are you actually making these statements or are you just running them on a repeating loop?
Newt, Newt, Newt.... Are you actually making these statements or are you just running them on a repeating loop?
Newt, Newt, Newt.... Are you actually making these statements or are you just running them on a repeating loop?
If the shoe fits...
Wow. This is a shock. First Limbaugh and now Gingrich. Keep talking, guys. Dig the GOP into a deeper grave then they are already in.
if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, maybe......
"White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw."
Gingrich is correct. That's why one should always be careful when throwing out the "racist" word. The word is so over used.
Why is it the same bloated, lying bags of scum are always whining
about everything, this guy and Rush should shut up and go home, they are pathetic.
CNN post the entire speech. This is all out of context.
You are trying to have us believe this. Get the facts because this is not right.
Takes one to know one.
Is that her whole statement? Is there any context to it, and has it been taken out of context to distort the meaning?