Will Sotomayor Take On Scalia?

What I like most about Sonia Sotomayor's style so far is what appears to be a spirited nature to match Justice Antonin Scalia's aggressiveness. The court needs a fresh voice and a fierce debater to challenge Scalia's ultra-conservative passion behind the scenes, where decisions are hammered out.

For the sake of balance in oral arguments, Sotomayor's reputation for energetic questioning would provide a counterpoint to Scalia's outgoing performances. Most justices act like they'd rather be at a funeral.

Scalia has his detractors on the bench, such as Justice John Paul Stevens. Their attacks on each other in written rulings and dissents reveal signs of deep conflict. But like so many of his colleagues who often disagree with Scalia, the aging Stevens is essentially a laid-back personality type.

It's time for a justice who gets in Scalia's face. I just wish we could see it when it happens.

Craig blogs daily at craigcrawford.com on CQ Politics.

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Comments

[1dogs2]

02:06 PM on 05/28/2009

If Obama had wanted a justice who would get in Scalia's face and hold her ground, he would have nominated Judge Diane Wood.

[Nonamnesiac]

08:55 AM on 05/28/2009

Yes, and Roberts and Alito and Thomas and Kennedy.

[Edmonsky]

12:18 AM on 05/28/2009

President Obama and Sonia Sotomayor share the following in common; both were brought up by single female parent; both attended ive-league universities and studied law; both came from humble beginning. They have their stark differences. Obama is a very shrewd politician and behind the scene operator; Ms Sotomayor is very outspoken and assertive; while Obama is a strategic thinker and a silent finisher, Sonia is very direct and very close to in your face kind of mindset.

[GotRights]

03:31 AM on 05/28/2009

You know her personally, do you?

[TheBaffler]

07:45 PM on 05/27/2009

She's an Obama selection, sharing that unparalleled milquetoast's spinelessness. She'll take on Scalia like Obama has taken on Wall Street.

[GotRights]

07:15 PM on 05/27/2009

"It's time for a justice who gets in Scalia's face. I just wish we could see it when it happens."

Let's put a TV camera in the SCOTUS deliberation room. It'll be a Reality TV hit!

[1dogs2]

02:05 PM on 05/28/2009

The Court repeatedly refused to allow a camera in the courtroom under Rhenquist's tenure. They allow some arguments to be recorded, but never videotaped.

[GotRights]

09:16 PM on 05/28/2009

I know. I was kidding. :-)

[TexasDem0]

04:31 PM on 05/27/2009

If the average citizen made statements pertaining to his job that were half as lame as Justice Scalia's statements about justice, he would likely find himself unemployed.