NOW president nails it on judicial empathy, wise Latina

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor as the next Supreme Court Justice by a vote of 68-31.

I wonder if the 31 Republicans who voted against her would have done otherwise if the nominee had been a white man.

That said, I was impressed by a post-confirmation statement by Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW). In her statement, O'Neill put the judicial empathy issue and the "wise Latina" controversy into very clear perspective:

"Judge Sotomayor will bring more federal judicial experience to the court than any justice in 100 years, and more overall judicial experience than anyone confirmed in the past 70 years. In addition to her exemplary qualifications, Sotomayor will bring an important viewpoint to the bench. Though it was a difficult concept for some senators to grasp, Sotomayor's experience as a member of two groups who often experience discrimination in this country can only help to broaden the court's perspective on inequity and help advance the cause of equality and justice for all."

Well said.

And congratulations to Justice Sotomayor!