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New York DA Morgenthau Defends Sonia Sotomayor From 'Racist' Charges
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Right-wingers like conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh and former House Republican Leader Newt Gingrich are accusing Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor as a "racist," while other Republicans are on the watch for any sign of judicial "activism" or liberal radicalism on her part.
The "racist" label comes from a 2001 speech in which she said: "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."
That could be shrugged off with the explanation that she's a typical New Yorker not afraid to speak her mind. But some conservatives argue that had Sotomayor been a white man who made those comments about someone of another ethnic background, his nomination would be dead in the water.
But New York's own District Attorney Robert Morgenthau today defended his former mentee, who worked for his office for five years.
"I have known Judge Sotomayor for decades, and I know how absurd these charges are. I doubt that anyone will be fooled by them," he wrote today in The New York Daily News. "Assistant District Attorney Sotomayor was no 'liberal.' Rather, she was a tough and effective prosecutor
Morgenthau cited several cases Sotomayor tried, including those involving murderers, child pornographers, and others. Calling her a "strong champion of the law," the venerable DA adds: "To be sure, she is in favor of civil rights, in the sense that she believes there should be fair treatment for all. But that is, of course, the law. And she understands poverty, and does seem willing to accept government action that provides a safety net to the poor. But that is not exactly 'radical.'"
He also blasted anyone who dare accuse her of being an "affirmative action" beneficiary.
"Whatever position one takes on affirmative action, it is simply unreasonable, if not racist, so to impugn this individual. She may be a woman, and she may be a Latina. But Sonia Sotomayor possesses an abundance of wisdom, intelligence, collegiality and good character. Sotomayor is where she is today because of her talent. Those who insinuate otherwise don't know her, or simply paint her as they do for political reasons having nothing to do with the truth."
Still, expect Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans to grill her on several issues, not least of which, is that 2001 comment in questions. Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the panel, told USA Today that those comments are "troubling."
"The American people need an answer before she goes on the bench as to exactly what she meant by that," said Sessions of Alabama. "It's on its face a troubling statement ...It goes against the idea of color-blind justice -- blind justice, not just color-blind justice."
Do you think there's a double-standard at play?
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