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.
Looks like somebody socked Newt repeatedly across the face with a bag of nickles.
So how do conservatives feel about their leaders borrowing the shrillest rhetoric of the left?
Wow if she is racist then one wonders why she isnt a proud member of the GOP!
Her statement was completely taken out of context! She was talking about a Latina's ability to make judgments involving the under privileged. Hell yes she's be be better able to make judgments for those people than some pampered, nose in the air, snoot!
Superficially the comment sounds racist how ever it may not necessarily be so. It depends the context it was said. White male jurists and Law enforcement personnel have been racist. Just look at the conviction rate of minorities vs. Whites. O.J. Simpson case in point. Whites, without exception believe he murdered his wife and her boy friend even after he was found not guilty by the court. In a similar situation, a White man will be enjoying life without any suspicion.
Obama is only concerned with Politics and moving the country into an ownership position (Owns banks, car companies...). Obama tried to pick someone that is invincible from critics based on gender and race. Repubs (and Dems) should object to this pick...she is the exact opposite of someone who should hold a position of "blind justice). Newt is correct. Barack, quit polarizing this country, can we move on from race baiting?
Good job Newt. You just drove away whats left of women and hispanics with your comments. You killed the Republican party.
The Republicans are on automatic self-destruct. I think it wise to just kick back, and watch them destroy themselves. Between the monstrous Dick Cheney and the buffoon Rush Limbaugh – and now the addled Newt Gingrich – they'll make short work of a constituency they used to own.
It's almost like Democrats like me don't have to do a thing!
Thanks, guys!
Newt is the only person who thinks Newt is relevant. He was forced to resign in disgrace and he needs to crawl back under the rock he oozed from.
No one cares Newt. You are the symbol for what went wrong for the GOP.
Newt, Rush and Dick will take the Republican party to its final grave.
Another magnificent decision by President Obama. How do I know? Anytime you have the 3 leaders of the GOP'ers thrashing about over an Obama policy or appointment, the President is doing the right thing for the country!
Can someone put Newt and Rush in a boat and push them overboard in the Bermuda Triange? I am so sick of these hate mongers running their mouths and spewing their hate and ignorance.
Get your head out of your rear Newt. You are a hack. Her life experiance would give her a different insight into issues affecting race and ethnicity as well as poverty and education.
This guy is a tool. Anyone who thinks she is a racist for that remark is just fishing for something to whine about. Like most ideas and words coming from the Republican party these days, this is just nonsense.
Lets see...Newt you are no longer vialable. You are not Speaker of the House anymore, nor are you part of the Conformation. The Republicans does not want a Latino in the SCOTUS. Just some old white fart that is so conservative, that all women will wear Burkas, and bowing down to men, one HUGE step backwards for womanind, one REALLY giant step for mankind.
The Republicans Congress are trying not to speak out about Judge Sotomayor, because they want the Latino and the Black voters, well Rush and Gingrich should keep their big mouths shut.
Leave it to OBama to pick a doozy.
The quote cited by both Limbaugh and Gingrich is out of context the portion "who hasn't lived that life" makes me think she was referring to a case that involved someone who was female and possibly Hispanic giving her insight into the case that a white male would not have. That is not racism, it is her opinion that her perspective would be different. Can that be denied? Hearing two wealthy, highly positioned white males assert racism in this instance is laughable.
she is a racist.
read her statement.
apparently she is anti-white.
And of course the right wing will also make the case that she is "very assertive" (for a woman), but very articulate (for a Latina)... Of course her remarks indicate that she is proud of her heritiage and can make every bit as good a judgement of the law as a white male. Republicans will soon be the party of the redneck white male.... last time I chekced that was about 15% or less of America. Good luck with that comeback, Newt!
And you know what's funny guys? Look who's talking Mr. only whites are allowed to say this, LOL!! How ironic, huh!! We are just cracking up over here, LOL!!!
Wow! A twit tweeting.
Really, Newt?
You don't get to decide who gets the good jobs anymore. Your side lost. You can wail from your dumpster all you like but that is the reality of the situation. Your cabal of fringe bellyachers have used up your share of the national media. It is time for you to slink away like a good little loser and suck on your sour grapes.
I'm white and there is nothing false in the the statement. Sometimes the truth hurts.
If she really said those things (and they appear to be on the record) then we can't tolerate racism regardless of who said it.
Sorry Libs, you can't have it both ways.
The more I hear about Soto, the less I like. Plus she's not the sharpest knife in the drawer we've been told.
Obama, go get another token nominee that does not got this crapola on their record.
S-H-O-C-K-I-N-G! I guess not everyone can live up to Alberto Gonzales's fine credentials in Newts mind.
Gingrich-poor white man made bad decisions, got kicked out of the House of Representatives, cheated on his sick wife and lackey for the defunct part of NO.
mmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm.