Are You Paying Attention To Sotomayor?
With the Supreme Court confirmation hearings to begin next week, The North Dakota Judicial Confirmation Network will be closely watching the proceedings. At this point, the group’s leaders have not determined whether or not to urge opposition to nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor, but have urged Senators Conrad and Dorgan to ask tough questions, and avoid the temptation to rush this through, prior to the Senate’s August recess. After all, it is a lifetime appointment. It remains to be seen whether or not the group will urge our senators to support—or oppose—this nominee.
So far, things have been mellow, but with hearings, there is always potential for things to get very interesting. Today, for example, it was reported that Frank Ricci, one of the New Haven firefighters who was passed over for promotion due to a decision Sotomayor ruled on, while testify at the hearings. One can imagine Ricci’s involvement would ratchet the emotions up a notch or two.
I’m also hearing that property rights may become a big topic of discussion.
Sotomayor’s story has been overshadowed by stories like Michael Jackson, Mark Sanford, Sarah Palin, Healthcare, and Cap and Trade, but it would be a mistake to assume next week could be a snoozer. North Dakotans should watch closely to see whether or not they believe this judge has the judicial philosophy and temperament to be on the high court. And they should let Senators Dorgan and Conrad know how they feel.
