[Crossposted from Latino Político]
President Obama has announced his nomination of Sonia Sotomayor as the candidate to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court that will open after the retirement of Justice David Souter. Sotomayor, a self-described “”Newyorkrican”, grew up in the Bronx and worked her ass off to get to Yale Law School where she graduated summa cum laude and served as editor of the Yale Law Review.
I could go into how excited I am to see a Latina be considered for the SCOTUS, the first in this country’s history and only the third woman (because I am beaming), but the buzz-kill has been rather abrupt from the seeing this accomplished and competent judge attacked for those very things that I consider a source of pride.
It should be a source of pride to everyone.
Conservatives like to talk about bootstraps and how important it is to refrain from whining about ones situation. Well…Sonia Sotomayor couldn’t be a finer example of putting the nose to the grindstone despite all the societial odds stacked against you and making it.
But as we’ll see in the coming days, she is an “intellectual lightweight” despite having a long and stellar career on the bench. She will be attacked as a person of color who has the audacity to uphold affirmative action laws not because they’re the law, but because she’s looking out for her people. The media’s whiteness will show in all its unholy glory.
An example of this mindset can be found during today’s broadcast on NPR’s Morning Edition. Ed Whalen, President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, wasted no time on getting that talking point out into the mix right at the onset. There will be no holds barred with this nomination process.
The conservative movement’s success at derailing Sotomayor’s placement on the Supreme Court is hinged on causing white backlash against her identity and making her out to be a token latina/affirmative action candidate instead of the qualified, capable judge that she has proven to be over the years.
As a blunt blogger friend of mine likes to say, “Bet on it.”
bet on it, indeed.
In non-breaking news, Glenn Beck is going full-tilt on his bigotry
he didn’t say ’emphatic’, but ’empathetic.’
Nevertheless, suggesting that the left is disappointed that she isn’t also transgendered and handicapped is so ugly that Beck should be kicked off FOX News for saying it.
Rupert’s happy.
Nobody else need be consulted.
Nah, he’ll probably get a raise.
Saying those kind of things about a Democrat or Democratic appointee is a condition for employment at Fox News, not grounds for dismissal.
Well I’m satisfied. But I know this whole thing will be painful to watch – already is. The teevee isn’t going to let go of that conflict storyline, so we’ll be seeing a lot more of the Karl brigade.
I was kinda hoping for a more playful choice when he suggested that the nominee might not be a judge. Somebody at Dkos suggested Anita Hill. That would have been more fun than Harriet Miers.
I hope the President spends some political capital to finally put the hatemongers on the margins where they belong. Instead they are front and center in all forms of media.
Oh my heavens Alice, I don’t think I could handle the excitement, to see the pale and purple skin colors of all the white-men with all that aghust in them! {{[waving hankie in my face at the sheer thought}}}},,:o) good heavens what an orgasm they would have! [[[[AGAIN, WAVING THE HANKIE}}}}} these are things a movie script are made for…hugs
can you just imagine anita hill and dear harriet!!! I can just see clarence’s face over this one. {{wink}}
Well we knew the ‘reverse racist’ ploy was going to be used right off the bat so that’s no surprise. Besides being such an incredibly stupid move to use…because of course having old white men on the SC for almost 200 years isn’t racist or sexist now is it?
I wish someone would ask Rush how many of her actual opinion’s he’s read in order to get all of these brilliant observations.
Hey Manny, Well I’ll bet we can safely say Rusho has read none of her opinions but it doesn’t matter does it. If Obama picked her she’s got to be a crazy affirmative action pick who can’t possibly be qualified.
But if he has read any opinions he’ll no doubt be taking out of context things she has said…to make her sound bad.
I guess that reverse racism applies to the Clarence Thomas choice. Or maybe reverse sexism to Harriet Meiers.
Looks like the Obama team is on top of things as usual though. I just read this at Tapped:
And they already took on the whole “judicial activist issue.
they have an opportunity to call out those who want to repeal Roe/Wade as judicial activists. I’ve never understood how after 36 years, overturning it wouldn’t be considered “legislating from the bench”. There’s opportunities to recast old political battles here, wonder if the White House will take the opportunity.
There are things about the Obama administration that I can justifiably criticize but their political acumen is not one of them.
If you look at the link, they have signaled that they are prepared to fight back on the “judicial activist” issue. But they are (as usual) doing it in a way that makes them appear “moderate”. After all, she was just applying 2nd circuit precedent. And deferring to the decisions of the other political branches. Nothing activist about that. How could you possibly say that there was?
That’s their usual Modus Operandi and it usually works in the court of public opinion.
Don’t expect them to fight the Roe v. Wade battle in the nomination process unless forced into it. If they recast old political battles it will not be directly and it will be in the guise of being moderate.
As far as I’m concerned, the ‘compelling personal story’ bit should have been dumped ages ago. There are loads of qualified, exceptional people whose ‘personal stories’ are as bland as can be. I think the governor of California has such a story, or am I mistaken? You get what I mean.
It doesn’t do much for me either but I think it ties into the whole “empathy” requirement – she has a background that may make her more empathetic to those who may be more likely to be oppressed. Or something like that.
Looks like the racist/bigot meme is spreading. Shouldn’t be surprised, Limbaugh gave them their marching orders