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.

Get HuffPost Politics On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[floridafun]

one of our flamboyant senators who love drama long as it doesnt out'em

[protagonia]

Bingo!

[MacGregor57]

"I'm deeply troubled" by Lindsey Graham

[111]

He is probably just average in his intelligence but he is a wealthy man who is a member of the ruling class so he is not like most American men.

Since Sotomayors comment about hoping to make a better decision than a white male points directly to the context of lecture she was giving and she was referencing gender and race discrimination cases.
The end of this post is the most telling of all "...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. " it is unlikely that he is at all offended by her words.

I don't think it is just political posturing, though. I think Graham is uncomfortable with integrating the SCOTUS.

[Greywolf Borealis]

I'm "deeply troubled" that there are so many "every-day white guy" bigots in the US Senate.

[Teritt]

I get 'deeply troubled' every time I hear Graham's voice discussing his ideology.

[DSOTM]

He might be "deeply troubled" but the real question is "can he jump"?

[miketothad]

I think he's using the opportunity to get attention and appear macho.
I think he's gonna be the next Larry Craig.

[MichelleDenise64]

About to fall out of my chair on that comment. Wow

[lvdragonlady]

Men, in general, are too full of themselves and think they know what is right for 'everyone'. Well, I for one, think that a woman is in a better position to deal with issues that effect women and a man would be.
Get over yourself Lindsey, it is not all about you.

[jazz41]

I'm more troubled that Graham is a Senator than I ever could be with Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court. As far as Graham being an average white guy who has apparently had his feelings hurt over a remark (taken out of context) by Sotomayor.....give me a break!

[katio]

Just a regular person?
Just this week, I saw an ad for "Old Christine" on TV. In the ad, she made a comment like "Everyone, blacks, Hispanics and regular people." Whether you are aware of it on not, this IS the bias - that white men are the regular people.

As a white woman of a certain age, this was brought to my attention (in the gut) over the Supreme Court case of the strip search of a 13 year old girl. I had a visceral reaction to this treatment of this young girl, as I'm sure did the majority of people who have been 13 year old girls and would understand the trauma and long lasting psychological effects of such treatment. In this case, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a wise woman, had to explain this to the 8 male justices. This is why we need people with different experiences on the Court. As an American citizen by birth, I also should feel like a regular person represented by the courts

[Chitownfool]

In case you didn't know I was being sarcastic

[kissmygrits]

Yeah, I'm sure it's really hard between a rich crackery male. I'm crying my eyes out.

[AirForce Vet]

Sonia Sotomayor troubles this man. Graham, Sotomayor is not what’s troubling you. You have issues sir and a few of them may be your conscience or the lack of a functioning brain. Many people may be saying the same thing about you, did you ever think about that? The picture of you included in this write-up leaves me with the same impression I got about Sarah Palin’s wink, wink moment during the vice-presidential debates.

[paganmist]

I am a black female, and to be honest, sometimes I worry about statements made about "old white men." Just to clarify, we are talking about *some* old white men here, not all of them. Possibly not even the majority of them. I know and have known any number of decent old white men, who treated me with respect.

So while you are shooting your ire at people like Lindsay Graham, remember that. Do not hate the whole become some parts are bad. Don't make stereotypical statements and judgments. I have seen racism from whites, but I've seen it from minorities as well, and sometimes some of the comments made here on HuffPo verge on or cross the line into bigotry.

Just because it is bigotry aimed at white men doesn't make it any more acceptable. True equality means equality for all. Whites (white men in particular) haven't been excluded from equality because of the past. These are difficult times, and it's hard to find a balance. Minorities still aren't where we need to be.

But we won't get there any faster by becoming bigots ourselves. So... you know... just watch out for that. Be the change you want to see in the world.

[kissmygrits]

So true. But the funny thing is, Graham is definitely part of the "some old white men" we're talking about!! :)

[InstantDogma]

One word: Fa-a-bulous.

[NYC07]

Lindsey Graham is proof that the Repub Party really is "One Big All Embracing Closet"