[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/16/art.goodwinliu3.gi.jpg caption ="Goodwin Liu, a federal judicial nominee, faced intense scrutiny from Senate Republicans over his liberal views and his preparation for his confirmation hearings."]Washington (CNN) - Senate Republicans offered a cool reception Friday to a federal judicial nominee who has become a political lightning rod over his liberal views and his preparation for confirmation hearings.

Lawmakers on both sides traded barbs over Goodwin Liu's qualifications and his past statements on a variety of hot-button topics during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

If confirmed, Liu, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, would be the only Asian-American currently on the appeals courts, the level just below the Supreme Court. President Obama nominated him for a seat on the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in February.

During his testimony, the 39-year-old Liu calmly addressed the concerns of GOP senators.

"The question is if this the right job for you," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who cited Liu's lack of judicial experience and his late submission of professional documents - including past speeches and writings - required by the committee.

The nominee omitted 117 items from a committee questionnaire on his background. The items were eventually submitted and Liu acknowledged GOP frustration, and said, "I'm very sorry for the omission of information in my initial submission."

FULL POST