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What reasons did people have for not voting for Sonia Sotomayor as US Supreme Court justice?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Some of Sotomayor's comments, when viewed through a microscope, appeared to alarm conservatives about her personal ideology and judicial philosophy. Perhaps the most widely criticized was her comment comparing the thought processes of a Latina woman with a white man:
"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."
She has also made other comments that caused conservative critics to believe she may be a liberal activist judge, such as an excerpt from her 2005 speech to a panel of law students interested in becoming law clerks (for judges):
"...court of appeals is where policy is made." She then immediately adds: "And I know - I know this is on tape, and I should never say that because we don't make law. I know. O.K. I know. I'm not promoting it. I'm not advocating it. I'm - you know."
Without considering the history of her decisions on the bench, such comments could be construed to imply bigotry and a tendency to want to legislate from the bench.
Her judicial record, however, shows her to be a centrist with a tendency to stick to the rule of law over personal sentiment. She has not shown herself to be an activist on the bench.
According to the American Bar Association, which bills itself as the largest voluntary professional organization in the world (over 400,000 members), Sotomayor is worthy of the rating "well-qualified," which is the highest recommendation possible.
The reality behind the GOP's objection to Sotomayor is partisanship, and most of the criticism leveled against her has been unreasonable and irrational. GOP activist Tom Fitton, who runs such conservative bully groups as "Judicial Watch," said he objected "because President Obama chose her."
Many Republican Senators wanted Obama to appoint leftover Bush nominees, despite the fact that federal judiciary nominations are the constitutional prerogative of the President, who always chooses someone whose ideology is a good fit for his administration. Obama's choice of a political Independent (rather than a Democrat) and a centrist (rather than a liberal) was far more of a compromise than the conservatives in Senate had any right to expect.
Nevertheless, this didn't stop the Republican party from sending Obama a letter demanding his judicial appointments be to their conservative liking, or else.
They threatened to filibuster candidates they didn't approve. This is particularly ironic in light of the fact that when Democrats attempted the same protest to a Republican-controlled Congress, the Republicans threatened to end the practice of filibusters by legislating them out of existence.
Some other concerns raised by conservatives:
* Some believe she favors statehood for Puerto Rico, which they fear will increase the danger of America becoming a bi-lingual nation.
* Some members of the GOP believe she's a strong advocate of affirmative action, a fear not borne out by her judicial record.
* Many pro-life conservatives fear "liberal" judges, in general, will uphold Roe v. Wade, (1973), despite the fact that - in practice - most conservative justices also uphold abortion rights.
* Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) announced he would vote against Sotomayor because she refused to say during her confirmation hearing that the Second Amendment right to bear arms binds states, as well as the federal government.
* Republican Senatorial candidate (and Governor) Charlie Crist (R-FL) claimed that she would "not strictly and objectively construe the constitution..."
In short, the Republicans were trying to exert as much influence as possible over the outcome of the Supreme Court nominations with the hope that President Obama would feel pressured into appointing a conservative to the Court.
The overall tenor of the Court is already conservative. The only balance between conflicting ideologies stems from Justice Anthony Kennedy's position as a swing vote, sometimes siding with the conservatives, other times siding with the liberals. If the Court seats one more conservative, Kennedy's influence will be overruled by a true conservative majority, which means constitutional interpretations would strongly favor the federal government over individuals, and would be more likely to infringe on individual rights.
Sonia Sotomayor is not the problem; the extreme partisanship and political polarization of the United States government is.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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How many Latinos are on the supreme court?
Sona Sotomayor is the first Hispanic to ever serve in the Supreme Court. Some people believe Justice Benjamin Cardozo was Hispanic; however, he was of Portuguese descent, which is considered a different ethnic group.
Why was the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor was significant?
Sonia Sotomayor is important to people for several different reasons. She holds the accomplishment of becoming a Supreme Court Justice, and as such gets to help decide whether or not legislation is constitutional. She is not only the third woman to become a Supreme Court Justice, but also the first Hispanic to take on this role.
Who are the nine key players of the Judicial Branch?
The nine key players of the Judicial branch would have to be the Supreme Court Justices. Here is a current list of Justices: Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. Justice Antonin Scalia Justice Anthony Kennedy Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Justice Stephen Breyer Justice Sonia Sotomayor Justice Elena Kagan
In what way are Paul Robeson and Sonia sotomayor alike?
Paul Robeson and Sonia Sotomayor are both significant figures in American history who broke barriers in their respective fields. They are alike in their advocacy for civil rights and social justice. Robeson fought against racism and inequality as a prominent singer, actor, and activist, while Sotomayor has championed equal rights as the first Hispanic and third female Supreme Court Justice in the United States.
Why does Justice Sotomayor make a personal reference in her speech to the people who helped her succeed?
to illustrate the central idea that gratitude is important.
How many minorities have been US Supreme Court justices?
Well, before anyone can answer that, we need to know "How are you defining 'minorities'?" Women ? (who technically aren't a minority) Blacks? Hispanics? But how about "Jewish"? They're a minority. As are Catholics. And "Italian-American". For that matter, I'm pretty sure every one of them has had a post-graduate degree, which puts all of them in a minority group. What he/she said^^ is a very good point. If your talking about African-Americans there have been two, but without clearer information I cannot answer your question fully.
What is the proper title for Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court?
The proper title is Chief Justice of the United States; however, most people refer to the office as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court because he (or she) presides over the Supreme Court of the United States (often called US Supreme Court).
What is the proper title for the Chief Justice of the US?
The proper title is Chief Justice of the United States; however, most people refer to the office as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court because he (or she) presides over the Supreme Court of the United States (often called US Supreme Court).
Who is the first Latina Justice on the US Supreme Court?
Sonia Maria Sotomayor (born June 25, 1954) was President Obama's first US Supreme Court nominee, who was recently confirmed and sworn in to replace Justice David H. Souter, who retired from the US Supreme Court at the end of June 2009. She is the first Latina justice in the Supreme Court's history.Sotomayor's judicial career began in 1992, when George H. W. Bush nominated her to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, with the enthusiastic backing of both New York Republican and Democratic Senators.Bill Clinton nominated Sotomayor to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1997. Her nomination was held in the Senate for a year because some Republicans were afraid she was being put on a fast-track to the US Supreme Court. She was finally confirmed by a Senate vote of 67-29 (which included approval from 25 Republicans) in 1998.On August 6, 2009, the US Senate confirmed Sotomayor's nomination by a vote of 68-31, making her the 111th US Supreme Court Justice. Although the vote was split along party lines, the unanimous Democratic endorsement was joined by nine Republicans and both Senate Independents. Sonia Sotomayor took the Constitutional and Judicial Oaths of Office on August 8, 2009. She will begin sitting with the Court during the 2009-2010 Term, which begins on the first Monday in October.For more information on Justice Sonia Sotomayor, see Related Links, below.
What is the leader or chief official of the US Supreme Court called?
The official title is Chief Justice of the United States, but most people refer to the position as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.As of 2005, the incumbent Chief Justice is John G. Roberts, Jr.
Would you rather be the President a Senator a Representative or a Supreme Court Justice?
I would have been and supreme court justice, not a president because it can be all hard work that's in your hands. I don't know what a senator is, but I would be supreme court justice because you get to speak out your mind and don't need to hear what people have to say and make your decision of what's right!
What is John G Roberts Jr's Official title?
Chief Justice of the United States (most people believe the title is Chief Justice of the Supreme Court).
