Earlier this afternoon, Senator Tom Coburn said during his questioning of Sonia Sotomayor that he didn’t know whether or not she had read the Federalist Papers. Republicans have been making insensitive remarks throughout these hearings, as well as in the run-up to them. Most of their remarks have been insulting to Puerto Ricans, Latinos generally, and women. Yesterday, Tom Coburn did his best Ricky Ricardo impression for Ms. Sotomayor, probably not realizing that Dezi Arnaz (and his character on I Love Lucy) was Cuban, not Puerto Rican. But suggesting that a nominee for the Supreme Court who has a Law Degree from an Ivy League university (or any university) and has been sitting as a judge for seventeen years has not read the Federalist Papers may be the most stupid insulting comment to date. It’s a wonder that anyone can sit through a confirmation hearing without getting up and slapping at least one senator for their impertinence and lack of respect.
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BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
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Recent Comments
not to mention she was a law professor, too.
Speaking of all that. Are there any other obstetricians among the elected officials in D.C. besides Ron Paul and Coburn? And isn’t it scary that both obstetricians are down right nutty?
At first glance I thought you were reaching a little, putting the worst possible interpretation on his comment. Then I tried to imagine him saying that to Roberts. The conclusion speaks for itself.
coburn actually did a desi arnaz imitation?
what did he say? “oh loooooooocyyyyyy” or something like that? is there video? can you link to it, i wanna see that!
“you have some ‘splaining to do”
As you well know Boo, we get the Senators we deserve. Oklahoma prides itself on being ass backwards. Vermont prides itself on being the most kick-ass state in the nation. As for PA, we’ll see come early next year.
Cuban? Puerto Rican? Mexican? Even Argentinian(right Mr. Sanford?). What’s the difference in Coburn’s world?? They all look the same to us white guys, right? Darker skin. Dark hair. Lots of brown eyes. All of ’em eat tacos and chili peppers. And they all sound alike. You know, just like this guy.
remember when some republican org recommended all republican candidates hold cinco de mayo fests to gain latino vote [!!!!!]. a mexico-centric reply to that idea: how about republican party celebrate day of the dead first tues of next nov.
it’s not such a great thing that the gop is destroying itself w. it’s stupidity, but the blue dogs could split off as a center-right party and the greens and progressive dems continue to lead the way – after two terms of Obama, however
Where is Howard Hughes when you need him? Didn’t a Senator accuse him if being a Communist(or Communist spy) during some Congressional hearing? To which Hughes dug up all sorts of dirt on the Senator being corrupt and what not and basically turned the tables on the Senator.
Not to mention that in Tuesday’s testimony she said she had read the Federalist papers, guess he was otherwise occupied.
They’re not insensitive remarks. They express a real view of the world. Coburn can talk the diversity talk when it serves his purposes, but deep down he just can’t wrap his mind around the idea that this woman isn’t a motel cleaning lady trying to bluff her way onto the Supreme Court. That’s the only way his world works.
Digby points to Jack Balkin’s comments, who says, essentially “go ahead and let Coburn and Sessions hang themselves” with their Atwater techniques. But then she poses a question which gives me a little pause.
I certainly don’t think that race is anywhere near “off the table”. Because, after all, who else is there to blame but “The Others”. But who, indeed, will be “in the crosshairs” of the angry, mostly white mobs? Will they turn their anger towards the “white turncoats” who agreed with the Obama policies? Or will they find a way, once again, to blame it on all those crazy and uncivilized minorities that Pat Buchanan seems to relish demonizing at every turn from his perch as the resident national white guy? Because someone will have to be to blame for anything that goes wrong. Somebody has to hang in order for the Right to be happy. No blood, no satisfaction in their world. Somebody has to pay. Who will it be?
Interesting point:
If race ever is off the table, who gets blamed?
That might tell you why race is still on the table.
Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll decide to go after the bankers and CEOs.
Might they have been trying to provoke her?
no, from his tone he was trying to be polite. I found it offensive in a way, but I think it comes from ignorance 1- MD’s imo tend to think they’re the only people who go through rigorous educational program 2- from what I’ve read about his connection w. the family, I’d guess his outside reading would be mostly the Bible.