Sen. Graham to back Sotomayor 7/24/2009 12:35 AM By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Wednesday that he will vote for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, breaking with his party's conservative leaders to back President Barack Obama's choice to be the first Hispanic justice.
The South Carolinian, who had hinted during Sotomayor's confirmation hearings that he might back the 55-year-old judge, said he would vote yes because "elections matter," and he believes she's a well-qualified jurist with a mainstream record that shows her "troubling" statements on race and gender don't drive her decisions on the bench.
"Her life story ... is something that every American should be proud of, and if her selection to the Supreme Court will inspire young women, particularly Latino women, to seek a career in the law, then that is a good thing - and I hope it will," Graham said.
Graham's announcement brought the total number of Republicans publicly backing Sotomayor to five, and underscored the divisions in GOP ranks over voting on Obama's first high court pick, who is virtually certain to be confirmed in early August.
The party's conservative leaders are lining up against Sotomayor, reflecting the bent of their core supporters, but several moderates - eager to appeal to a more diverse set of voters, including Hispanics - have said they'll vote yes.
Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the No. 2 Republican, announced just before Graham's speech that he would oppose Sotomayor, accusing her of dissembling and stalling instead of being straightforward with senators during her confirmation hearings.
"I remain unconvinced that Judge Sotomayor believes judges should set aside biases, including those based on race and gender, and render the law impartially and neutrally," Kyl said, echoing the comments of several other leading conservatives who have announced they'll oppose the judge.
Kyl was particularly harsh about Sotomayor's responses to questions regarding a ruling she joined last year dismissing the claims of white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., who alleged reverse discrimination when they were denied promotions.
"Her answers answered nothing," Kyl said. The ruling was overturned last month by the Supreme Court, and Republicans have spotlighted it in their criticism of Sotomayor.
Still, the GOP has little appetite for attempting to block or delay a final vote on Sotomayor's nomination, given the inevitability of her confirmation and the political dynamics at play. Democrats, who control 60 votes, back her solidly and GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Richard Lugar of Indiana, Mel Martinez of Florida and Olympia Snowe of Maine have said they'll also vote yes.
Democrats are capitalizing on the GOP's political dilemma. The party's Senate campaign committee on Wednesday bashed Florida Gov. Charlie Crist - running in a primary to replace Martinez - for announcing this week that he opposes Sotomayor.
"If Crist wins his Republican primary, Floridians won't forget his opposition to the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court nominee," said Eric Schultz, the committee's spokesman.
Collins, Lugar and Snowe are among the current GOP senators who voted for Sotomayor in 1998 when she was confirmed for a seat on New York's 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The others were Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Bob Bennett of Utah - both of whom plan to oppose Sotomayor this time around - and Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and Orrin Hatch of Utah, neither of whom has said how they will vote.
Graham is generally conservative but has been known to flash a maverick streak similar to his mentor, Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
He said Wednesday that voting against Sotomayor would be "the path of least resistance for me" - both personally and politically.
But he said he didn't believe Sotomayor will be any more liberal than Justice David Souter, the justice she's in line to replace.
"On balance, I do believe that the court will not dramatically change in terms of ideology with her selection," Graham said. "On some issues, quite frankly, (she) may be more balanced in her approach."
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Comment Title: Teri
Sam Wyche in the House in 2010. Then take the senate seat from Lindsey(John Junior) in 2012. Let's hope!
Report Abuse
Posted by: LL On: Friday, July 24, 2009 8:43 PM
Comment Title: We will remember ...
I disagree with Sen. Graham on many issues, but I applaud his vote and at election time will remember his support for Judge Sotomayor.
Report Abuse
Posted by: fed-up On: Friday, July 24, 2009 5:52 PM
Comment Title:
He just lost my vote. Sotomeyer is too liberal for my taste and I don't think she'll be an asset to the Supreme Court or this Country. She does have good points but the bad, IMHO, out weigh the good ones. Sorry Senator, you just lost my vote next time around
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Friday, July 24, 2009 3:21 PM
Comment Title:
Thank you, Sen. Graham, for this pleasant surprise, from a Democrat
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Friday, July 24, 2009 3:19 PM
Comment Title:
I think that she will do a great job if elected, because whether we like it or not we all have biases...and if we look at things through a veil of ignorance (stating that things should be fair across the socio-economic board) she is an excellent choice. I think she will be fair and use her experiences to better the court. I greatly respect Sen. Graham for crossing party lines. That is exactly what America needs right now! His leadership and example will lead to a better, fairer vote from others in the future.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Friday, July 24, 2009 3:16 PM
Comment Title:
I glanced so quickly I thought it said he supported sodomy. Then I realized it was about Sotomayor, though I think he supports both. ;-)
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Friday, July 24, 2009 2:14 PM
Comment Title:
At least the liberals don't lie about the fact that they are trying to destroy America. Lindsey sure does lie about it. He is a POS.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Friday, July 24, 2009 2:14 PM
Comment Title:
Lindsey will never ever be re-elected by the people of SC. What a lying hypocrite.
Report Abuse
Posted by: EEDAN_BB On: Friday, July 24, 2009 10:41 AM
Comment Title: Re: Lindsey Grahamnesty
This guy has been in Washington WAY TOO LONG. He is like the North Eastern "Republicans", Liberal. The only time that Grahmnesty votes or talks like a Republican is about the U.S. Military or about 5 months before his re-election. Outside of that he votes the way fo the Democrat. Just like Susan Collins and Olympia Snow, the Republicans would be better off if Grahamnesty would go the way of Arlen Spector. It would be better for not just the Republicans but also South Carolina and the United States. Lindsey, do S.C. a favor and either resign or turn Democrat!
Report Abuse
Posted by: Philo-Publis On: Friday, July 24, 2009 9:35 AM
Comment Title: Graham does it again
When are the goodolboy southern voters going to get it through their heads that Graham is killing our liberties? Graham is only where he is today because of Strom Thurmond. (another goodolboy) God forbid we have to live with Graham's liberal policies for another 50 years. Maybe once Sotomayor rules to have our gun rights revoked, the people will realize what a liberal politician Graham really is. WAKE UP SOUTH CAROLINA!!
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Friday, July 24, 2009 8:26 AM
Comment Title:
Looks like Miss Graham has gotten over concerns for Judge Sotomayor's temperament--but maybe South Carolina Governor Sanford convinced him that Latina's are cool.
Report Abuse
Posted by: Ashamed, but I TRIED FOR so many YEARS On: Friday, July 24, 2009 12:51 AM
Comment Title: sanford - NOW graham, more to come
The end is coming, for the USA that is. South Carolina gone, read the title! Most Americans are so out of shape they couldn't beat themselves out of a wet-paper bag anyway.
Report Abuse
