Ahead at the Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings
Patricia Murphy
Capitol Hill Bureau Chief
Posted:
07/15/09
If you're following the Sotomayor hearings, here's what to expect on Wednesday and for the rest of the week:
* Wednesday: More Q&A between Sotomayor and senators. They're still in the first round of questioning, when each senator gets 30 minutes to ask the judge questions. Still to come on Wednesday, Sens. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Coburn (R-Ok.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), brand-new Democrat Arlen Specter (Pa.) and brand-new senator Al Franken (D-Minn.).
* Later Wednesday: After the first round of questions, the committee goes to the second round, during which each senator gets 20 minutes for follow-up. Sen. Patrick Leahy asked those who don't need all 20 minutes not to use the full time, but we're dubious about the chances of senators giving up face time on television. Just sayin' . . .
* Likely Thursday and Friday: Outside witnesses begin their testimony after the senators finish. The first two witnesses will be from the American Bar Association, followed by four additional panels. The first of those will include New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau (Sotomayor's old boss) and two of the firefighters from the New Haven reverse-discrimination case. Later witnesses will be former MLB pitcher David Cone, former FBI Director Louis Freeh and others.
As for topics still to be covered, look for more-intense questioning from Republicans about Sotomayor's "Wise Latina" comment, as well as a spirited defense of her "temperament," after Tuesday's question from Sen. Lindsey Graham if she has a "temperament problem." Klobuchar seemed especially nonplused by that line of attack, and she'll be at the microphone Wednesday.
* Wednesday: More Q&A between Sotomayor and senators. They're still in the first round of questioning, when each senator gets 30 minutes to ask the judge questions. Still to come on Wednesday, Sens. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Coburn (R-Ok.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), brand-new Democrat Arlen Specter (Pa.) and brand-new senator Al Franken (D-Minn.).
* Later Wednesday: After the first round of questions, the committee goes to the second round, during which each senator gets 20 minutes for follow-up. Sen. Patrick Leahy asked those who don't need all 20 minutes not to use the full time, but we're dubious about the chances of senators giving up face time on television. Just sayin' . . .
* Likely Thursday and Friday: Outside witnesses begin their testimony after the senators finish. The first two witnesses will be from the American Bar Association, followed by four additional panels. The first of those will include New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau (Sotomayor's old boss) and two of the firefighters from the New Haven reverse-discrimination case. Later witnesses will be former MLB pitcher David Cone, former FBI Director Louis Freeh and others.
As for topics still to be covered, look for more-intense questioning from Republicans about Sotomayor's "Wise Latina" comment, as well as a spirited defense of her "temperament," after Tuesday's question from Sen. Lindsey Graham if she has a "temperament problem." Klobuchar seemed especially nonplused by that line of attack, and she'll be at the microphone Wednesday.