Atlanta Progressive News

First from Mary G. Wilson, president of the League of Women voters:

“The League of Women Voters is pleased by President Obama’s announcement this morning that he will nominate the first Latina, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, to serve on the nation’s highest court.

The nomination of Judge Sotomayor to fill the vacancy left by retiring Justice David Souter is a bold step by President Obama to diversify the Court. 

It is a time to celebrate our nation’s diversity and differences. The nomination of the first Latina and the third woman to the country’s highest court is cause for all Americans to be proud.

Today’s announcement is historic for all American citizens. Judge Sotomayor’s nomination marks another milestone on our path toward a democracy that is truly representative of its citizenry.”

Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League:

“The National Urban League commends President Obama for his decision to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Judge Sotomayor appears to be an eminently qualified judge with the intellectual heft, strong record and common touch that is needed in a Supreme Court justice. We believe the President has made an outstanding choice.

…

In evaluating a federal judicial nomination, the National Urban League’s primary concern is whether a nominee’s record demonstrates a commitment to upholding civil rights, equality of opportunity and social justice. Our initial review of Judge Sotomayor’s record indicates that she meets these criteria.”

Libertarian Party National Committee Chairman William Redpath blasted Sotomayor for past rulings on rase-based hiring. From the party’s Web site:

“While Judge Sotomayor deserves a fair and impartial hearing, Supreme Court justices should be nominated for their thorough knowledge of and adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law,” said William Redpath, Libertarian National Committee Chairman. 

“By nominating Sonia Sotomayor, Barack Obama has made it clear he prefers an activist for his personal causes over a rational interpreter of law,” said Redpath.

The Republican National Committee accidentally leaked its Sotomayor talking points to the press:

• President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court is an important decision that will have an impact on the United States long after his administration.
• Republicans are committed to a fair confirmation process and will reserve judgment until more is known about Judge Sotomayor’s legal views, judicial record and qualifications.
• Until we have a full view of the facts and comprehensive understanding of Judge Sotomayor’s record, Republicans will avoid partisanship and knee-jerk judgments – which is in stark contrast to how the Democrats responded to the Judge Roberts and Alito nominations.
• To be clear, Republicans do not view this nomination without concern. Judge Sotomayor has received praise and high ratings from liberal special interest groups. Judge Sotomayor has also said that policy is made on the U.S. Court of Appeals.
• Republicans believe that the confirmation process is the most responsible way to learn more about her views on a number of important issues.
• The confirmation process will help Republicans, and all Americans, understand more about judge Sotomayor’s thoughts on the importance of the Supreme Court’s fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law.
• Republicans are the minority party, but our belief that judges should interpret rather than make law is shared by a majority of Americans.
• Republicans look forward to learning more about Judge Sotomayor’s legal views and to determining whether her views reflect the values of mainstream America.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called Sotomayor’s record “exemplary.”:

“I believe that Judge Sotomayor will be in the mold of Justice Souter, who understands the real-world impact of the Court’s decisions, rather than the mold of the conservative activists who second-guess Congress, and who through judicial extremism undercut laws meant to protect Americans from discrimination in their jobs, their access to health care and education, and their privacy from an overreaching government. I believe Judge Sotomayor understands that the courthouse doors must be as open to ordinary Americans as they are to government and big corporations.”

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. His remarks urged a “fair and thorough” hearing.

“Of primary importance, we must determine if Ms. Sotomayor understands that the proper role of a judge is to act as a neutral umpire of the law, calling balls and strikes fairly without regard to one’s own personal preferences or political views.”