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Where Does Sotomayor Stand on Abortion?

By Doug Bandow on 5.26.09 @ 7:57PM

It is widely and understandably assumed that Sonia Sotomayor is pro-abortion. But Steven Waldman points out that we actually don't have much evidence of her opinion:

After the announcement of Sonia Sotomayor's selection, abortion groups lined up predictably, pro-life groups expressing outrage and pro-choice offering praise. Everyone seems to be assuming she's ardently pro-choice, if for no other reason than that Obama's appointed her.

But there's stunningly little information about her abortion views - and what we do know hardly paints her as a pro-choice activist.

She's ruled on only three cases indirectly related to abortion and in each case she took the position preferred by the pro-life forces, albeit for reasons unrelated to the merits of abortion.

The conventional wisdom probably is true. Still, one can always hope (dream?) of a liberal appointee who turns out to be unexpectedly sound on one of the worst constitutional decisions ever.

View all comments (10) | Leave a comment

BJC| 5.26.09 @ 8:30PM

Alas! I happen to believe Sotomayor's lack of "fingerprints" on pro-abortion judicial rulings most likely was part of the political calculation in selecting her. But even if she is a hidden defender of the right to life in pertinent laws, all the rest of her anti-constitutionalist judgifying tips the scales against approving her for anyone who stills treats the oath to the Constitution as binding.

MattSwartz| 5.26.09 @ 9:52PM

I'm almost sure Obama extracted "assurances" from her on this. They've already made a point of explaining that she isn't that kind of Catholic; someone with the administration explained that she was "raised Catholic and attends on special occasions", or something like that.

Still, it would be awesome.

ds80| 5.26.09 @ 10:58PM

If Sotomayor is truly Catholic, she is Pro-Life.
If Sotomayor is Anti-Life, she is not truly Catholic.

By definition. Despite any utterances to the contrary.

Roy| 5.27.09 @ 12:19AM

Yeah, the richness of her Latina experience apparently was not so rich that it prevented her from thorough servility to the media on an issue that the religion of her ancestors holds to be of paramount importance. That's a major reason I hold identity politics in contempt; it amounts to being able to say "I am the eternal slave of the NY Times editorial board" in the language of your (real or imagined) ancestors, and that is about it.

SLG| 5.27.09 @ 8:56AM

Typical -- with all her other Marxist/activist/terrible leanings, of course the priorities on these pages are abortion.....

Floyd R. Turbo| 5.27.09 @ 4:54PM

Let's hope her vote keeps it "safe, legal and rare"

Waterboarding.

Whadcha think I meant?

Alma Jurgensen| 5.27.09 @ 6:58PM

Pres. GHW Bush nominated Clarence Thomas because he had 'empathy'. And let's not forget that GW Bush talked about 'compassionate conservatives'. What's so terrible about being empathetic or compassionate?

casey anderson| 5.28.09 @ 3:00PM

That is what is great about America. We all have our own opinions and are free how to live our lives without government interference. If you dont believe in abortion then dont have one. Too many women have died in this country because we try to legislate morality. We consevatives need to stop being hipocrates about big government!