Graham To Sotomayor: Do You Have A Temperament Problem? (VIDEO)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), dove head-first into the personal when it was his turn to pepper Judge Sonia Sotomayor with questions, reading from anonymous listings in the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary.

"When you look at the evaluation of the judges on the second circuit you stand out like a sore thumb in terms of your temperament," said the South Carolina Republican, who went on to call Sotomayor a "bully."

The Obama Supreme Court pick seemed generally rattled by the line of questioning.

"I do ask tough questions at oral argument," she responded, before Graham cut her off. "Are you the only one who asks questions at oral argument?" he asked.

"No," Sotomayor replied. "Not at all."

Finally Graham, who repeated that he liked Sotomayor personally and could end up voting for her confirmation, got even blunter. "Do you think you have a temperament problem?" he asked.

"No sir," Sotomayor replied. "I can only talk about what I know about the relationship with the judges of my court and the lawyers who appear regularly before our circuit. And I believe my reputation is such that I ask the tough question but I do it evenly to both sides."

As Ian Millhiser, a Legal Research Analyst with the liberal-leaning Center for American Progress Action Fund, points out, Graham didn't publicly object to two other judges with reputations for being a bit brash: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Antonin Scalia.

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Comments

[gvidal]

file ol Lindsey under: "gay, gay, gay"

[nacilbuper]

missy graham said what?

[gvidal]

miss thing needs a facelift

[mockingbird1979]

Wow. The last time I saw such fury from a member of the GOP during Committee testimony was during the grilling of Scott McClellan over his book. I simply could not imagine that Graham would go so far in his questioning, let alone preach to a woman FAR more accomplished than himself about "self-reflection." This was disgusting and degrading and Obama should make a public statement condemning it.

[llisa]

Speaking of bullying. . . have the Republicans done anything but?

They have been figuratively beating her up ever since she was appointed.

[ReservoirDog]

A "temperament problem" ?

The entire GOP has a TEMPERAMENT PROBLEM !

[Hopeington]

Just emailed Graham.
While I never really liked you much, I now do not like you at all. Watching you question Sotomayor, I realized what a small minded, condescending and rather odious politician you are. Sotomayor was a class act , not deserving of your snide questioning. I have never seen you look such the incredible fool and many of us fear you have been the victim of a rushed limbaughtomy.

[Cybesq]

I think that sums him up pretty well.

[sheaintsayin]

"rushed limbaughtomy" Classic, and I'm going to use it deliciously judiciously! Thanks a bunch!

[iridium53]

Is Graham a closeted wide stancer?

[reggieb]

misslindseygraham is a fine example of southern womanhood

[LemonMeringue]

Since when was "temperament" a qualification for a judge?

[quiddler]

At least she can ask a question of a lawyer. Clarence Thomas is afraid to open his mouth.

[sheaintsayin]

it is actually a vanity issue for Justice Thomas; you see, he's toothless and just doesn't want to open his mouth and confirm the rumors... Scalia chews his meat for him, which just goes to show what a very nice and mutually satisfying partnership they've got going on.

[Teadye]

Thank goodness she has enough spare empathy to get past her lack of empathy. Methinks Sen Graham is at war with himself.

[Daniel Torluemke]

Where does South Carolina find these people?

[gvidal]

in the closet

[Daniel Torluemke]

Is not John McCain this man's hero? McCain's temper is legendary. Oh, and Lindsey, it was pretty cowardly for you to site unnamed sources.

[From the Raft]

Perfect!

[AirForce Vet]

This man should have more important things to do than to ask a stupid question about someone’s temperament. Does Graham have a temperament problem? Does his twin (John McCain) have a temperament problem? Dependent on any day of the week an individual’s temperament may change. Graham mentions Sotomayor being a bully. Has he taken a good look around his Republican caucus? If he is looking for bullies, I’m sure he can find plenty of them in that wandering circus. Graham seems to have a personality problem. One day he acts one way and next day he becomes something totally different. Graham's personality can be compared with that of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Graham, you may not have a temperament problem, but you have a major problem and that problem is hypocrisy.

[6bd]

Suggests!.......that was rude, unsubstantiated, and very unprofessional. These hearings say much more about the republican senators than they do about the Honorable Sotomayo. I am grateful Mr. Leahy is moderating. I sympathize with the judges mother....these rude senators, repeatedly asking the same questions, and disregarding any answers. The "bully" here, was the questioner!

[LemonMeringue]

I was complaining to my husband that they could at least behave like gentlemen toward her, and he retorted "they are not gentlemen."

[MSNichols]

Poor Miss Lindsey had SO many issues.

[ReservoirDog]

LOFLMAO ! Thanks.

[From the Raft]

Miss Lindsey just wants to be satisfied.

[gvidal]

anyone monitoring the bathrooms at the SC airports?