Obama Picks Sotomayor for SCOTUS

An official announcement is planned for later this morning, but it appears that President Barack Obama is poised to name the first person of Hispanic descent to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Read the AJC.com report:

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama tapped U.S. Circuit Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court on Tuesday, officials said, making her the first Hispanic in history picked to wear the robes of a justice.

If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor, 54, would succeed retiring Justice David Souter. Two officials described Obama's decision on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made.

Administration officials say Sotomayor would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice confirmed in the past 70 years.

A formal announcement was expected at midmorning.

Obama had said publicly he wanted a justice who combined intellect and empathy — the ability to understand the troubles of everyday Americans.

Democrats hold a large majority in the Senate, and barring the unexpected, Sotomayor's confirmation should be assured.

If approved, she would join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the second woman on the current court.

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May 26, 2009 - 8:36 a.m. EDT

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When the retirement of David Souter was announced, Sotomayor's name was floated as a possible nominee in a Huffington Post article.

plez sez: from reading sotomayor's background, it appears that she is an accomplished jurist with a background that will allow her to empathize with "the people." she was raised in ruff-and-tumble bronx, yet made it out of her environment to attend princeton and yale.

as a "moderate liberal" she is a perfect replacement for the moderate david souter.

if there is any unease with this selection in plezWorld, it is Obama's over-reliance on the ivy league connection for so many of his appointments. but if that's the way of the world, i guess i better work alittle harder on making sure the SugarPlum gets into an ivy league school!

~ ~ Citations ~ ~

Read the AJC.com article about President Obama naming Souter's replacement to the Supreme Court.

Read the New York Times article about Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court.

Read the Washington Post article about Sonia Sotomayor, Obama's nominee for Supreme Court.

Read the CNN.com article about US Circuit Court Judge and Obama Nominee to the Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor.

Read the Huffington Post article about Sotomayor's background.

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