by James Oliphant
Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, just confidently told reporters that Judge Sotomayor "will be confirmed"--with strong mustard on the "will."
The math isn't difficult. There are 60 votes in the Democratic caucus. But Leahy urged Republicans to not vote against Sotomayor as a bloc. "I hope it's not a party-line vote," he said."I do believe elections have consequences," he said. "This is a mainstream judge."
Leahy said his biggest concern is making sure Sotomayor is on the bench by the time the high court hears a high-profile argument on campaign finance regulation in early September. "I don't think anyone on either side wants that case heard by an eight-member court," Leahy said.
The Supreme Court typically doesn't start its fall term until October, but the campaign finance case marks a rare exception. While Sotomayor's hearing is expected to be finished this week, her nomination must still be reported out of the Judiciary Committee and be debated and voted upon on the Senate floor. The Senate will be in recess after the first week of August.
Comments
Presente Action -- with the support of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee -- is airing Spanish-language ads in key congressional districts in Florida, holding Republicans accountable for racist remarks toward Sotomayor. You can chip in to keep the ads on the air at: www.DenunciaRush.com. Every 100 people who give $25 will keep the ads on the air another day. Let's show Republicans that racism has consequences.
Posted by: Ashleigh | July 13, 2009 12:24 PM