John Cornyn Repudiates Gingrich And Limbaugh Comments About Sotomayor

One of the top Republicans in the Senate, John Cornyn, is repudiating recent comments by Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich which claimed that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is a racist.

Cornyn, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told NPR's "All Things Considered":

"I think it's terrible... This is not the kind of tone any of us want to set when it comes to performing our constitutional responsibilities of advise and consent."

Cornyn dismissed Limbaugh and Gingrich, adding: "Neither one of these men are elected Republican officials. I just don't think it's appropriate. I certainly don't endorse it. I think it's wrong."

In recent days, Limbaugh and Gingrich have made headlines and stirred up controversy, along with condemnation from the White House, with their comments.

On Wednesday, Gingrich wrote on Twitter:

"Imagine a judicial nominee said 'my experience as a white man makes me better than a Latina woman.' New racism is no better than old racism."

Limbaugh, citing Sotomayor's decision in Ricci v. DeStefano -- an affirmative action case involving the New Haven fire department that's being reviewed by the Supreme Court -- called the judge a "reverse racist" on his daily radio show Tuesday.

"So here you have a racist. You might -- you might want to soften that, and you might want to say a reverse racist. And the libs, of course, say that minorities cannot be racists because they don't have the power to implement their racism. Well, those days are gone, because reverse racists certainly do have the power to implement their power. Obama is the greatest living example of a reverse racist, and now he's appointed one."

Media Matters For America, the non-profit research and monitoring group, compiled a video of those comments, along with other "racist" accusations.

WATCH:

Comments

[kalerik]

Unbelievable. I actually agree with something John Cornyn says.

[garymc8]

Obviously the gop is only comfortable with WHITE MEN. Nobody has done more damage to our country in the last 8 years than the WHITE MALE REPUBLICAN UNREPENTANT BUSINESSMAN. Thats who I fear the most and who has damaged my family the most. Not muslims or arabs.

[LafnBacstage]

If GM can fall, so can the current Republican Party.

However, America is witnessing the collapse of the "NeoCon" Republican, not the Republican Party. People like Gingrich, Limbaugh and Cheney don't represent the "conservative" branch, they represent those with vested interests in keeping white male and rich at the top of the food chain.

As these dinosaurs continue to belch forth their intellectual flatulence they chop away at the roots of their party, destroying and alienating the support that makes conservatism strong.

Let them cry foul, let them cry the about the unfairness of reverse racism, let them cry about how America needs to use torture. The only people listening are the narrow minded and media outlets attempting to profit from the noise.

Most Americans, be they conservative or liberal, tire of this song. The yearn for a country that is strong, moral, secure and just-- at home and abroad. The strategies of the neo-con of the cross have failed and we are witnessing the dying cries of "I'm melting, I'm melting" into insignificance.

[LMKay66]

How many seconds before Cornyn apologizes to Rush?

[rkcomments]

Instead of talking about Limbaugh's thoughts on Sotomayor we should be trying him for Treason. Anyone who publicly hopes for the failure of the American President (and thus the country) during a time of two active wars should be tried for treason.

[faustbos]

funny how standing behind ones president during a time of war is no longer an issue for the GOP. How long did that take..... 2 minutes after a Democrat was sworn in???

Now, i'mnot saying I agree with the unconditional support of a president at anytime, but, I am consistant with my thoughts words and beliefs...­. Can Limbaugh say the same? Of course he can, but that won't make it the truth.

[ManwithaParachute]

I think some one realizes they need the Hispanic vote.

[henrypapillon]

Sorry, John. It's like my mother used to say, " You can't go against your raisin' ".

[Hawaii5-0]

The GOP is like the Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight. It's tragically funny seeing them turn on each other around the race issue. Bottom line that the Supreme Court should represent the population. As it is now, our population would be all white males, except 1 in 9 would be a female and 1 in 9 would be a black.

[johndtuttle]

Hmmm, Texas with a large and growing Hispanic population suddenly finds one of it's Senators breaking with the bigotry of his party to save his own hide...Wel­l, I guess that's smart I guess and you can't blame him for that.

Let's see if he votes positively on issues that matter to Latinos like Health Care for all Americans or if this is just lip service.

[cuomofied]

Yes. Because health care is a race specific issue.... Are you mad?

[Wolves50]

Well, he's doing exactly what the liberals want the republican party to do, which is play the game according to their rules. Pandering to the liberal media is not what Cornyn should be doing. There is such deep rooted hate in the democrat party since the days of Bush that they will only have utter contempt for republicans, no matter what they do. It's imperative that the republican party develops its platform from the inside and show a unified front for the next couple of years. It seems bleak right now but that will change sooner than anyone thinks. If they could just do themselves a favor and not listen to any advice from the liberal media or democrat anylists they'll be better off in the long run.

[nowme]

Good idea--listen to the loving messages of Limbaugh.

[JeffE]

We have utter contempt for the republicans who have utter contempt for our Constitution.

[cmarmonhalm]

It's hilarious to see how terrified the old guard is...I love it.

[oregonbird]

Yep. Simply by existing, President Obama is a reverse racist. Why does my dad listen to Limbaugh? Why does he watch Fox News? Why does he fear that "they" will come and violently take his guns away? Why does he think "white people got no chance" in the USA?

[Bluesky1426]

Right.....­...

Cornyn doesn't do anything that doesn't promote the GOP. He's worried about the Hispanic vote in Texas...th­at's the only reason he's come out verbally against Gingrich and Limbaugh. I'm sure in private he agrees with everything being said.

[KodeBloo]

You got that right.

[4evryoung]

John Cornyn cares about John Cornyn.

Hopefully the discontent of the Hispanic voters will be reflected in his losing his Senate seat during the next election cycle.

[GJKBEAR]

I live in TX - I will wait to see if he turns around and backtracks and kisses Rush's behind. He doesn't ever vote the way I ask him to anyway.

[dennissinned]

I have yet to hear from female Republicans say anything about Sotomayor. Not that I'm holding my breath.

[cuomofied]

I'm a Ron Paul republican, but please do not encourage Michelle Bachmann to talk. This only leads to bad things.

[boitexas]

Please, John Cornyn only cares about John Cornyn. He of such male privilege, now wants to defend Sotomayor, or soften the debate as it were. It's all show.

Remember Phil Gramm resigned in December so John Cornyn could be sworn in 3 weeks early giving him seniority over any incoming freshman senators in that year I think was 2000 or 2002 I forget which year. And under the GOP senate at the time, Cornyn was given a judiciary committeee assigment which is rare for freshman senators. So he has drunk plenty from the well of privilege.

He is only concernced with keeping his seat and advancing the GOP as we have seen with his committment to do anything to keep Norm Coleman from giving up already. He stated as much in his role as senate campaign chairman.

His dismissing of rush et al is for show.

[BowlingForRevenge]

I agree 100%
John Cornyn is a snake in the grass...wa­tch your ankles.
He has an agenda and it is NOT of benefit to anyone but himself.

[garymc8]

Texas is seriously up for a big shift to the Dems and he knows it. The hispanic vote is the only way they can turn the tide, in Texas, and he sees the gop insulting his only chance for reelection.