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Limbaugh attacks Sotomayor
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Sotomayor with the President and Vice President (AP Photo)
"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"
This quote from Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has been the target of much scrutiny in the last 24 hours, calling into question whether Obama's pick is the best possible.
Conservative talk radio host, Rush Limbaugh went to far as to call Sotomayor a "reverse racist" and "hack". And while it would suit his political agenda just fine to have the public believing that Sotomayor is a racist, I honestly don't think that is the case.
Its too easy to put such labels on this quote, especially when looking for any possible reason to not confirm this nominee. What I believe Sotomayor may have been trying to say was that a variety of life experiences help shape the best sort of judge. Often times these experiences and challenges may not be those that a white male could have possibly experienced: racism, sexism, or extreme poverty. The truth is that in our nation, white males have traditionally been given the easiest route to success (its called an "Old Boys Network" for a reason). The remarks that were made may appear to call white males into question, but the questions that are being asked are regarding their life experiences, not merely their race. One can only hope that actual merit and not name calling will be used as the basis for the upcoming confirmation hearings.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs referred to this criticism as "Regrettably predictable" and I am prone to agree with him.
For more information on changes to the Court:
Sotomayor nomination made official
First Hispanic to be named to the Court?
