The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Cornyn was good

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In the third round of questioning, Cornyn was pretty darn good (a grade from me of about 94 out of 100) on asking her about her absurd speechr emarks denoncing objectivity and asking her about foreign law. She is weakening. I've been pretty hard on Republican senators, so credit where due: Cornyn in all three sessions has ranged from good to very good in his questioning. I STILL think the senators need to make definitive statements at the end of their question sessions, each time, summing up what THEY have gleaned from that round of questions in terms of what it means for the public. Declarative, not inquisitive. Like lawyers would do when trying to make juries understand their points. Still, Cornyn, who does have good trial experience, has done a mostly good job of eliciting information and getting his point across.

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Bert| 7.16.09 @ 2:12PM

Cornyn announced yesterday that, "if [he] had anything to say about it," Sotomayor would get an up or down vote by the full Senate.

If Cornyn wants Sotomayor not to be on the Court, all he has to do is refuse to support the effort to bring her to a vote in the committee. Rule IV of the Judiciary Committee rules requires at least one minority to go along in order to bring a matter to a vote. If all seven GOP members stuck together on this, she would not get out of committee and would not make it to the Supreme Court.

So don't tell me that Cornyn did good. He, like Graham and a few of the others, is just trying to have it both ways. He won't block her nomination (even though he could) because he wants to pander to hispanic voters. But he'll ask "tough" questions and, once she is assured of a floor vote, vote against her to pander to the conservative base.

The simple fact is that all it takes to keep her off the court is for seven GOP members to refuse to let her nomination come to a vote. Period, end of story.

Spicy Joker| 7.16.09 @ 3:19PM

John Cornhole is a disgrace. He's going to vote for Sotomayor because he's afraid of the Hispanic vote.

Chuck Assley is also a disgrace. He, too, has indicated that he will vote for Sotomayor.

Lindsay Graham is a two-face who enjoys nothing more than pulling the rug out from under his own party. I have no doubt he'll eventually switch parties.

Mike| 7.16.09 @ 6:11PM

Republicans worry about Sonia Sotomayor's empathy. When she simply applies the law instead of showing empathy for a white and an Hispanic firefighter, they attack her. Of course they can't admit that she simply applied the law as per precedent. After all, that would mean they have to admit that she is not a judicial activist.

Basil Plumley| 7.16.09 @ 11:19PM

@ Mike

What "precedent" was that? Please cite the case that was overturned by the Supreme Court.

If you can answer that question, you would be more qualified than Sotomayor. When Kyl asked her that question, she did/could not answer the question.
This is your chance to show your brilliance. Get to it, Mike.