...meaning not among the very best choices?
.
I do not see this as a yes or no question. Was politics involved in the decision? Of course. Was politics the deciding measure? I don't think so.
Maybe she is trainable. Maybe Roberts, Alito, Scalia, and Thomas can help her evolve in the job.Well, ALL Supreme Court picks are political choices to some extent. If a candidate doesn't roughly match the president's political ideology, the president isn't going to pick him/her no matter how qualified he/she is.
With that said, I personally would have preferred Elena Kagan, Diane Wood, or Pamela Karlan. I'm sure Sotomayor will be fine, but I think that intellectualism is an important trait for a Supreme Court pick, because they can sway the opinions of other justices over time and actually have more influence than just their one vote. And I'm not sure that Sotomayor has that particular trait.
Maybe she is trainable. Maybe Roberts, Alito, Scalia, and Thomas can help her evolve in the job.
.
A female Latina?
Yes, this is a political choice.
Maybe she is trainable. Maybe Roberts, Alito, Scalia, and Thomas can help her evolve in the job.
.
:roll:
You'll make that same accusation anytime a Democratic president (especially a black Democratic president) nominates anyone for anything who isn't a white, non-Latino male. Only 33% of Americans are white, non-Latino males. Get over yourself.
If you don't like Sotomayor, why can't you just talk about her views, rulings, temperament, or whatever else you don't like about her. Why bring up her gender and race as a negative?
Probably won't happen, but it would be a hoot if she turns out to be the Souter opposite.It's possible. There are numerous instances of Supreme Court Justices starting their career out with one political ideology, then shifting their views in time. The man Sotomayor is replacing is a perfect example of this.
That will be a tall order, especially if the emphasis remains on identity issues.I just hope that Obama's next pick is a more intellectual heavy-hitter, who can go toe-to-toe with John Roberts in terms of brainpower and reasoning.
A female Latina?
Yes, this is a political choice.
I disagree with this assesment. One can speculate that she was chosen simply for her gender and ethnic background, but unless there is evidence that this was the case, speculation is all the it will ever be. She seems to have all the qualifications for the job, and I don't see how her being a latina female specifically vaulted her into the position. I would speculate that it may have been considered, but I doubt it was a determining factor as to whether she could serve.
Having her under scrutiny now, I am not thrilled with the pick myself as things come to light, but I think Obama could have done worse. And I certainley wasn't holding my breath thinking Obama would deliver someone right of center to the SC.
Becuse it's obvious that SHE was picked because SHE's hispanic.
Scarecrow Akhbar said:It's not like there isn't a hundred other people out there qualified to sit on that Court. The only issues that guide Democrat judicial nominees is the proven willingness to follow orders, not the Constitution, and their suitable placement on the rainbow.
Becuse it's obvious that SHE was picked because SHE's hispanic.
I agree with this assesment. I see it as him appeasing two minorities with his choice.
Women are not a minority.
I knew someone would misunderstand due to my lack of explination. When I said minority I meant in the system, not US population.
So very true, they're playing the race card already and Karl Rove has reservations about her intellectual competance even though she graduated second in her class at Princeton. But none of this matters. This is what I was talking about in another thread where I pointed the insanity of the behavior of anti Obama folks. Whether or not Sotomayer is confrimed, which she will be, Obama is going to appoint Liberal judges...and hopefully lot's of em. Many young Liberal judges who will be alive till after I die. Too bad Republiconservatrians.Why are we talking about her sex and race, instead of whether she is qualified or likely to make a good Supreme Court Justice? I really get this impresion that our friends on the right want to talk about anything except her qualifications.