Did You Read This Sotomayor Opinion, Senator Bennet?

Monday, 29 June 2009 12:08

After Bennet Backed Sotomayor In Just 25 Minutes, Supreme Court Reverses Another Major Decision By Sotomayor Today

WASHINGTON – Following a 25-minute meeting with the Supreme Court nominee earlier this month, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) announced his firm support for Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Just 20 days later, the U.S. Supreme Court today reversed a key ruling by Judge Sotomayor in Ricci v. Destefano.

During a June 12 meeting with high school students, Bennet “defended his support of Sotomayor and passed off criticism that his decision was hurried” by stating, “[H]aving read a great number of her opinions and descriptions of her opinions, I got a very good sense of her before I ever got to talk with her.” It remains unclear whether or not Bennet “had a good sense” for the fact that six of Judge Sotomayor’s previous decisions also went before the Supreme Court, yet the high court agreed with her reasoning only once.

“Controversial decisions by judicial nominees are precisely why the Constitution provides for a deliberative confirmation process by the Senate. Yet it appears that Senator Michael Bennet was not interested in engaging in that process or putting any thought or deliberation into this nomination. Bennet instead rushed to endorse Judge Sonia Sotomayor following a speedy 25-minute meet-and-greet, seemingly with no regard for her record. Colorad[]ans deserve better from their junior Senator,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson.

“Whether he’s ducking issues like card check or rushing into major endorsements for a Supreme Court nominee weeks before the commencement of any hearings, Governor Ritter’s appointed U.S. Senator Michael Bennet continues to demonstrate that he’s simply not ready to lead on behalf of Coloradans.”

According to Congressional Quarterly, Sotomayor “is certain to face questions about her opinion at her confirmation hearing, scheduled to begin on July 13. Sotomayor was one of three judges on a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in 2008 who summarily upheld a trial court’s ruling rejecting the plaintiffs’ reverse discrimination claims.”