Senators Duke It Out at Sotomayor Hearing

Sonia Sotomayor has wrapped up the first session of what promises to be a successful but contentious confirmation process. Patrick Leahy opened today's hearing by expressing hope Sotomayor would be spared racial attacks. “She has been a judge for all Americans,” the Senate Judiciary Committee chair said. “She understands there's not one law for one race or another. There's only one law." But some Republicans came out swinging, objecting to judicial activism, empathy in judges, and the infamous "wise Latina" comment.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican, set the tone, attacking Sotomayor for her vote in the firefighters' affirmative action case. "Call it empathy, call it prejudice, but whatever it is, it is not law," he said. "In truth, it is more akin to politics. And politics has no place in the courtroom.” Others, like Orrin Hatch and Lindsay Graham, sounded unsure—though Graham's frankness appeared to sit well with the nominee. "Unless you have a complete meltdown, you're going to be confirmed," he said.
(More Sonia Sotomayor stories.)