I think Republicans and conservatives will be making a GRAVE mistake by attacking Sotomayor personally.
Whatever her opinions and record may be, her personal biographical story is truly inspiring stuff…rising out of the New York projects by God-given gifts, a little luck, and a lot of hard work.
Her story is very similar to Clarence Thomas, and she should not be treated as scandalously as Thomas was by the Democrats…especially since the Dems have the votes and she is going in regardless.
An attack upon her personally would serve only to alienate Hispanic/Latino voters…and a few of us White guys who don’t like seeing someone’s undeniable accomplishments denigrated in a scurrilous manner.
But here’s how the GOP game plan should unfold:
She should be asked to expound on the Constitutional qualifications for holding the Office of POTUS, (are you feelin’ me, Col. Pelto?).
She should be asked to define “torture”.
She should be asked about her views on contract law.
The committee should seek her views on the legality of “Sanctuary” cities and the limits of Federal vs. State powers.
She should be asked about the uses of unproven and disputed scientific theory in the making of public policy.
And she should be asked these questions as respectfully as possible, for tactically and strategically offensive reasons.
1) This is a GOLDEN opportunity to put some screws to the Alleged Hawaiian’s agenda, and to use his handpicked nominee to turn the screwdriver.
2) If she later votes to reflect a different philosophy than what she answered in committee, she can then be beaten over the head with her own words
3) If she’s as stupid and abrasive as some have alleged, I reckon that her and her viewpoints will be ostracized when the Justices go into chambers…she won’t do her case any good by being a shrew among that gang.
4) She’s relatively young, and she should be on the court for a long time. Now this may be a reflection of my own admittedly limited experiences, but as Latin women get older, they rarely get more Liberal in their viewpoint, rather the opposite is true.
It isn’t just GOP Court nominees who can turn around and disappoint the Party that nominates them.
