Confirmation hearings - day two

July 15, 8:06 AMU.S. Supreme Court ExaminerChelsea Bednarczyk

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Sotomayor - July 14, 2009 (Reuters)

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor was given a chance during yesterday's confirmation hearings, to explain her now famous "wise latina" comments.  These comments, which I discussed earlier, brought concern about racism on the part of the nominee.  Additionally, they called into question whether personal bias would take the reign in Sotomayor's decision making.

When given the opportunity to explain these comments, Sotomayor explained that she was trying to get across a message to inspire children to be whatever they wanted to be. 

Several republican Senators weren't satisfied with this retraction and noted that the comments could still mean more than was explained.

Another hot topic was Sotomayor's previous statement that appeals court judges make the law, not interpret it.  Sotomayor merely claimed that this statement was taken out of context.

These explanations seem to fall a bit flat for a nominee who has had weeks to mull them over.  While being overly prepared implies that the judge is too defensive about the statements, a little more elaboration may have put more conservative Senators at ease.
 

For more information on Sotomayor's confirmation:

Limbaugh attacks Sotomayor

Sotomayor nomination made official