So did you feel the same way about Alito?
Why would I feel the same way about Alito?
My issue with Sotomayer is that she seems to think a bias based on her heritage or her femaleness is ok. She also seems to think this is acceptable and is unapologetic about it.
Let's look at the difference between some statements:
“A judge can't have any preferred outcome in any particular case. The judge's only obligation — and it's a solemn obligation — is to the rule of law.” -Alito
or
“The role of a practicing attorney is to achieve a desirable result for the client in the particular case at hand. But a judge can't think that way. A judge can't have any agenda, a judge can't have any preferred outcome in any particular case and a judge certainly doesn't have a client.” - Alito
Samuel Alito quotes
vs.
"All of the legal defense funds out there, they're looking for people out there with court of appeals experience, because court of appeals is where policy is made. And I know, I know this is on tape and I should never say that because we don't make law, I know. I know. " - Sotomayer
or
"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. " - Sotomayer
"Whether born from experience or inherent physiological or cultural differences our gender and national origins may and will make a difference in our judging. " - Sotomayer
Sonia Sotomayor Quotes
Do you see the difference? To me, it's striking. I'm shocked actually that a judge would use the language she uses.
From Alito's hearing:
"But, although the judiciary has a very important role to play, it's a limited role. It is not -- it should always be asking itself whether it is straying over the bounds, whether it's invading the authority of the legislature, for example, whether it is making policy judgments rather than interpreting the law."
More from the confirmation hearing:
"Judges have to be careful not to inject their own views into the interpretation of the Constitution and, for that matter, into the interpretation of statutes. That's not the job that we are given. That's not authority that we are given."
"Results-oriented jurisprudence is never justified because it is not our job to try to produce particular results. We are not policy-makers and we shouldn't be implementing any sort of policy agenda or policy preferences that we have"
U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Judge Samuel Alito's Nomination to the Supreme Court - washingtonpost.com
So why would I feel the same way about these two?