Lindsey Graham: "I'm Deeply Troubled" By Sotomayor Nomination

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday that he remains "deeply troubled" by Sonia Sotomayor's ideology and record after a 30-minute closed-door meeting with the judge.

Politco reported on Graham's press conference following the meeting:

"I was very direct," Graham told reporters gathered outside his office. "I have to decide how to play this game, quite frankly. If I use the same standard that Sen. [Barack] Obama used, then I would not vote for you, quite frankly."

Graham's comments were the most critical so far during Sotomayor's dozen visits to key Senate offices over the past two days. [...]

"[Obama] used a standard, I think, that makes it nearly impossible for a person from the opposite party to vote for the nominee," said Graham.

"When I look at her record, her ideology, I'm deeply troubled," he added.

Graham had previously criticized Sotomayor for her 2001 "wise Latina" remark. On Wednesday, Graham said the remark offended him as an "every-day white guy."

The Washington Post reported on Graham's comments today:

"My criticism about her comment and the speech that she gave wasn't that I think this lady is a racist," Graham said, later continuing: "There is no evidence of that, but this statement is troubling and I did tell her this, 'If I said it, it would be over for me. No matter how well-intentioned I was and no matter how much I tried to put it in context, that would be it.' And you all know that."

He added, "being an average, every-day white guy ... that does not exactly make me feel good hearing a sitting judge say that."

"... She needs to explain herself and she needs to understand she offended some people," Graham said."

Interestingly, Sotomayor made the same speech in the 1990's, and her words were disclosed to Republican Senators as part of her 1998 Court of Appeals confirmation. There's no sign that any of them objected to it.

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Comments

[Cambridge9]

Lindsey "was deeply troubled" BEFORE he read her record and her idiology.

By the way, I don't usually make comments like I'm about to do here - but :)

Does Lindsey have a black eye or is he competing with Ms. Palin??

[BumpyKnight]

Graham's perspective concerning the feelings ("deeply troubled") of the "average, every-day white guy", acknowledges that ethnicity and gender are likely to effect a person's perceptions, and unintentionally underscores the need for diversity on the bench.

[Arvid0823]

Was Graham "deeply troubled" by Roberts' and Alito's ideology.

Or is he angry because Sotomayor is taking a job that could have otherwise gone to a white man (per a Jesse Helms campaign commercial)

[LaurenJill]

He would be much happier if she was more like a real judge--a male judge.
http://tasteslikechicken2me.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/women-do-not-think-differently/

[lulubelle1956]

Lindsay Graham would only vote for The Honorable Mr. Potatohead, and only if the Honorable Mr. Potatohead were a white, christian, KKK member of his very exclusive (dying) southern country club.

[letsdoit]

Mr. Graham should be troubeld being a member of the Senate. One of the most corrupt group of people in government, beside those in Congress. I say; F&*k 'EM ALL!!!

[Billpoch]

Lindsey, You have ben deeply troubled for quite a long time.

[gonbald]

I'm "deeply troubled." by lindsy

[Albertmum]

He's not like any 'average everyday white guy' I know. Thank god.

[Digeeedad]

"being an average, every-day white guy" ...

Lindsay Graham must be in a "time warp", because the "average, every-day white guy" he labels himself as faded away LONG AGO!!!!

[dax49]

i think he was mostly offended by being called a guy- after all his efforts to try to look pretty for mccain

[malicetwdnone]

I guess the fact that the white guys still have disproportionate power in society eludes Mr. Graham.

[johnthomson33545]

Graham thinks of himself as an elite white guy."Every­day"is beneath him.

[IndyGirl19]

The problem with "every-day white guys" is that they think they make better decisions than anyone else.

The elephant in the room is that these "every-day white guys" are offended that this cheeky Latina had the temerity to voice an opinion that denies their beloved status quo.

I think these every-day white guys doth project too much.

[rosiebond007]

"Lindsey Graham Offended By Sotomayor Speech As An "Every-Day Gay White Neocon"

The poor guy - his ego is crushed !!

He must think he is very special !!!!! Boo Hoo !!!