Lugar Becomes First Republican To Announce Vote For Sotomayor

Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court seemed relatively pre-ordained following four days of somewhat news-less testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now, it seems, the one question remaining will be how many Republican senators will offer their support.

On Friday morning, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) became the first, releasing a statement of support for President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee.

"I have listened to the testimony of Judge Sonia Sotomayor before the Senate Judiciary Committee, carefully reviewed her public service record, and reviewed recommendations from Indiana constituents and colleagues here in the Senate," said Lugar. "Judge Sotomayor is clearly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and she has demonstrated a judicial temperament during her week-long nomination hearing. Judge Sotomayor has had a distinguished career of public service. She is well regarded in the legal community and by her peers. I will vote to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States."

Lugar does not sit on the Judiciary Committee, so his vote will only matter once Sotomayor's nomination is voted out of that committee. That, however, should not be much of a hurdle for the Court nominee as Democrats hold a large majority there, and some Republicans on the committee -- namely Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) -- have indicated that they will support Sotomayor.

UPDATE: Two more Republican Senators have said they will support Sotomayor: Sen. Mel Martinez, R-FL, and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine,

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Comments

[Harold Taylor]

A good American and a reasonible politacian in a time of national stress who can work with the administration to accomplish good for the country.

[lazercat2008]

They have to court the Latinos or spend the rest of their lives in government purgatory.

[onepotatotwopotato]

Does Judge Sotomayor accept that the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States, can and must be enforced on behalf of the people by either the States, the most desirable case, or if the States refuse to do so, by the Federal government against the States on behalf of the people. This means all ten amendments, not just some of them.

[lazercat2008]

Were you in a coma last week?

[slim1921]

Shouldn't your name be ONEPOTATOE­TWOPOTATOE­??

[mari2JJ]

Actually as a Christian I would prefer for the SC to NOT get involved with any religious dogma. Since our country is obviously pluralistic on this issue that is how the founders arranged it, you know, deists, Southern Baptists, Mormons, Methodists, atheists, etc. I neither want the court to allow ascendancy of ANY religion nor do I want them curbing any religious practice. But why is this raised in this judge's hearing discussion. She has proven herself a guardian of freedom of religion and a protector of those who want no religion. In cases where she has ruled on this issue, she considered the no establishment rule even in the case of public displays of religious information. I agree that in light of the vast array of religious beliefs, our country's religious life is safe with this judge who will obviously be approved even with a number of fine Republicans and that makes me proud of my party. I only wish there were many more Republicans who saw the wisdom of this woman and her fine credentials to be an outstanding judge on the Supreme court. Of course I did not expect those with a past history of hate speech towards minorities to do anything except try and try to give this nominee a bad time. Even Kyle, my Senator proved that although Arizona segregation is no longer practiced due to the SC rulings, he seems to still cling to those same racist feelings.

[stryker]

Well, there goes his membership in the gop.

[1Troubles]

he's made me a proud Hoosier-Lugar has always been of an independent mind and looks all all facts

[lazercat2008]

He's lying.

[Havnagudtim]

Believe it when you see it.

[Whitley2009]

As a Democrat, I sincerely thank you for your vote, Mr. Lugar.

[alwqb]

Yeah!!!

[NURREDIN]

Professor Dropout Limbaugh ain't gonna like this!

[Mike Barden]

Indiana gonna lead the waY? maybe it ain't so cold here.

[CaptainFailmore]

I don't know about you, but here in central it's been pretty cool lately.

[HC4BO]

Lugar is always trying to lend some credibility to his flailing party ...

[CaptainFailmore]

Maybe he needs to start hoarding it for himself. It's certainly wasted elsewhere in the GOP.

[haval2]

Bravo Senator Lugar.

[lazercat2008]

Come on, he's a tried and true corporate dust bunny.

[dubster]

This is a breath of fresh air. Ironically this comes from a conservative that represents INDIANA - which is highly republican and white. In addition, although it's true that there are Hispanics in all 50 states, they are primarily concentrated in the southwest. Thus, if you saw any GOP senators voicing support for her you would presume it would be senators form southwest states i.e. Senators:McCain, Kyl, Cornyn, Hutchinson, Ensign, Hatch, and Bennett. These are Republican senators from Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Utah all states that have significant and growing Hispanic communities. Ergo they are the ones that should be ecstatic to not look prejudice; in lieu you have Lugar being the first man to step up and do what's right. I respect Senator Lugar for this.

[lifesucks]

I am going to have to send that man an email thanking him for being a voice of reason amongst the party of no.

[glomtt]

We're really counting on you to help get her confirmed Senator!!!!

[stonewall68]

Though I disagree with nearly everything Sen. Lugar believes in I have nothing but respect for him. He is a calm and rational debater; not a loud-mouthed idealogue like most of his Republican brethren. When I see him on talk shows I usually don't agree with him but come away admiring his intellect. He is also not shy about supporting Obama when he thinks the President has done something he thinks is right. I am not surprised at all that he was the first Republican to publicly support Sotomayor.

[CaptainFailmore]

That's really what I like about him.

If nothing else, he's respectful and respectable. He's no moderate and I can't say that I'm a huge fan of his voting record, but sit him next to, say, Michelle Bachmann. Given the choice between those two alone, who would you rather listen to? Who would you rather have making decisions about your country on your behalf?

I know a lot of folks will want to reply, "Why not neither," but that's not the point. His demeanor is exemplary and worthy of imitation, not just by his fellow statesmen and stateswomen, but anyone involved in politics from the citizen level onward. I've never heard him making a fool of himself or acting uncouth, or spitting envenomed words at opponents, or making arrogant claims about himself and his party. Even if you don't agree with him - in most cases, I don't - it should not be uncomfortable to listen to or read from him. If it is to you, reader, perhaps your security in your own beliefs needs to be addressed.

That's not to say that this absolves Lugar of his voting record. I would like more to see representatives with Lugar's temperament but ideals closer to my own. Regardless, he still commands my respect.

[Littlewords]

The GOP dregs are now doing PR butt coverage since they know they lack the votes to filibuster staying power and/or can block Sotomayor's confirmation.

[2cntswrth]

It is the "Southern Strategy good ol' boys" that are loosing their control. And thank goodness for that. People like Senator Lugar don't fit the category of being racist right wing-nuts that want to do all they can to impede progress.