Sotomayor's CSPAN Interview

CSPAN interviewed Supreme Court Justices this past week. This is part of Sonia Sotomayor's interview. She talks about receiving the call from Obama. Watch all of Sotomayor's interview here. Watch interviews with the other Justices here.

Sotomayor Shows Her Style

A recast Supreme Court kicked off its new season Monday, with novice Justice Sonia Sotomayor immediately taking center stage.

In just an hour, the court's newest justice asked more questions than Justice Clarence Thomas has asked over the course of several years. Sotomayor's aggressive role in a Fifth Amendment case, in turn, underscored how she could put her own stamp on a court whose 2009-2010 docket is still taking shape.

"The Supreme Court is already off to a notable start, and there is so much more to come," Caroline Fredrickson, the executive director of the American Constitution Society, a liberal lawyers organization, said even before inaugural oral argument Monday.

The 55-plus cases already scheduled for the coming months cover everything from gun rights and patent protection to free speech and the punishment of juveniles. The court is likely to accept another 25 or so cases before the 2009-10 term ends next June. McClatchy

Yankees Fan Sotomayor Throws Out First Pitch Video

Obama's Speech to Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Obama speaks at the CHCI awards gala. Michelle Obama, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Nancy Pelosi were in the house. Obama says the number of Latinas/Latinos he's appointed in his administration exceeds any in history and "we're not finished yet." Marc Anthony received an award, which explains why Anthony and J-Lo were at the White House today.

White House Hosts Reception for Sotomayor

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's remarks:

I am most grateful to this country. I stand here today knowing that my confirmation as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court would never have been possible without the opportunities presented to me by this nation. More than two centuries ago, in a Constitution that contains fewer than 5,000 words, our founders set forth their vision for this new land. Their self-proclaimed task was to form a more perfect union, to establish justice, and to secure the blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity. Over the years, the ideals at the heart of that document have endured, as subsequent generations have expanded those blessings, these rights and freedoms to more and more Americans.
Our Constitution has survived domestic and international tumult, including a civil war, two world wars, and the catastrophe of September 11th. It draws together people of all races, faiths, and backgrounds from all across this country who carry its words and values in our heart. It is this nation's faith in a more perfect union that allows a Puerto Rican girl from the Bronx to stand here now. (Applause.)
I am struck again today by the wonder of my own life, and the life we in America are so privileged to lead. In reflecting on my life experiences, I am thinking also today of the judicial oath of office that I first took almost two decades ago, and that I reiterated this past weekend -- to judge without respect to what a person looks like, where they come from, or whether they are rich or poor, and to treat all persons as equal under the law. That is what our system of justice requires, and it is the foundation of the American people's faith in the rule of law, and it is why I am so passionate about the law.
I am deeply humbled by the sacred responsibility of upholding our laws and safeguarding the rights and freedoms set forth in our Constitution. I ask not just my family and friends, but I ask all Americans, to wish me divine guidance and wisdom in administering my new office.
I thank you all again for the love and support you have shown me. And I thank President Obama and the United States Senate for the tremendous honor and privilege they have granted me. Thank you.

Sonia Sotomayor Takes Oath

Celebrating Sotomayor:

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Introducing Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

NPR broke in with Obama's news conference while I was driving and I have to say, even though I expected she'd be confirmed, it was a happy moment. Sotomayor was confirmed 68 to 31.

The vote:

McCain Gets Mavericky: No on Sotomayor

Just yesterday, John McCain warned that republicans needed to find more Hispanic leaders and bring more Hispanics into the party in order to survive as a party, so this is a very strange move. Now I see what people meant when they called McCain a maverick-- they meant erratic. Even his buddy Lindsey Graham is going to vote for Sotomayor.

After days of indecision, Sen. John McCain announced Monday he will oppose the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

The Arizona Republican said Sotomayor tried "to walk back from her long public record of judicial activism during her confirmation hearing."

The senator's views will not slow the momentum for what is expected to be easy confirmation later this week for the 55-year-old federal appeals court judge. Legal sources say a White House swearing-in ceremony for the nominee could happen as early as Friday, depending on when the Senate casts a final vote before its August recess. CNN

All Republicans Except One Vote No on Sotomayor

It seems to me that if you're going to vote against someone, you should do it in person. Sonia Sotomayor was approved by the committee: 13 to 6. All of the republicans on the committee voted against her except for Lindsey Graham. Sessions, Hatch, Grassley, Coburn, Kyl, Cornyn voted no.

OMG White Men are Scared Out of Their Wits!

I'm appalled. This guy is out of bounds, just like his republican cohorts. Pat Buchanan calls Sonia Sotomayor an affirmative action pick. They also called Obama an affirmative action candidate. Old guys need to be quiet now. I think people of a certain age, brought up in a certain way, lack certain brain synapses to understand diversity and equality and why it matters, not just for fairness sake, but for the sake of a more enlightened society. They'll never get it. Never. It's just beyond their grasp. Rachel tried.

Coburn Challenges Sotomayor on Guns

Guns, guns, guns. What's up with these guys and their guns? If they defended things like healthcare and education like they defended guns, we'd live in a better society. Sotomayor shows she is incredibly wise and turns the question around on Coburn:

Franken asks: why do you want to be Supreme Court justice? Sotomayor tells, through a story, how precious law and public service are to her. It's actually quite touching. I'm really enjoying these hearings because it shows who our Congress people are and what they care about.

Sen. Cornyn tries to explain why republicans keep asking the same question over and over:

See Lindsey Graham's concluding remarks here.

Sotomayor Answers Empathy Question

Al Franken razzes Sotomayor about Perry Mason. They're both fans of the show:

Sotomayor on Constitution's Living and Breathing Status

The Constitution has not changed except for amendments, she said. It doesn't live. It's timeless. What changes is society, she said. Lindsey Graham asks if judges have changed society? He gets at Roe v. Wade and rights of unborn.

More questioning from Graham, who says "I like you for whatever that matters:"

Loons Kicked Out of Sotomayor's Hearing

Several crazies have been thrown out of the Sotomayor hearings in the past couple of days. For all of those opposed to abortion, here's a suggestion: make yourself useful. Promote adoption for teens who don't want to abort their babies but aren't capable of caring for a child, or work with foster teens. Make a difference. Don't show up at a dignified hearing sounding like a raving lunatic. You and your cause will only be dismissed.

Sotomayor Explains Wise Latina Remarks

Judge Sonia Sotomayor made all kinds of sense this morning in explaining the remarks that have caused republicans to call Sotomayor a Latina supremacist. Are republicans merely being political or do they mean what they say? Because if they mean what they say, then they're out of step with mainstream society. Here's what Sotomayor had to say on this: I was trying to inspire them to believe that their life experiences would enrich the legal system, she said. I wanted to inspire them to become anything they wanted to become. The words created a misunderstanding, she said. Then she said flat out: I don't believe any ethnic or racial group has an advantage in sound judging. Next up, empathy.

Sotomayor on affirmative action:

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Glenn Beck Uninformed About Sotomayor Hearings

Funny. He probably had an intern gather clips and didn't even realize there was no questioning today. Silly misinformed man. The questioning is going to take place this week and I'm sure it's going to be rabid. The republicans were hardly soft in what amounted to lecturing -- not questioning -- today. Mostly the republicans were concerned about "empathy" and "wise Latina."

Sotomayor Shows How Wise She is

Judge Sonia Sotomayor showed just how wise she is by keeping her opening remarks short and sweet:

Lindsey Graham pretty much sums up the hearings--Unless Sotomayor has a meltdown, she's confirmed:

Everyone seemed to be interested what Sen. Al Franken might say:

Sotomayor's Brother Offers Judge Scoop

Juan Sotomayor, a doctor in Syracuse, says in the video below Judge Sotomayor used to read Archie comics. See the full video of Juan fiercely defending his sister from the raving lunatics here.

Choice White House Photos June 5

Michelle and Nancy Reagan:

Michelle at the Met in NY

Michelle visits Ferebee-Hope Elementary school

Michelle Obama and the Congressional lunch bunch:

Michelle and Bancroft elementary school kids in the garden:

Katie Johnson, White House secretary, tries on helmet:

Valerie Jarrett and David Axelrod:

Robert Gibbs and Axelrod:

Jon Favreau, Jim Messina, Patrick Gaspard:

Cell phones outside a meeting. Check out the Shepard Fairey "history" sticker:

Biden, Obama and Sotomayor wait for the big announcement:

All of these photos are by Pete Souza, White House photographer.
Video montage of Obama in Egypt:

Leahy Press Conference on Sotomayor