GOP senator: Stop calling Sotomayor a 'racist'

WASHINGTON — The top Republican involved in the confirmation hearings for President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee says he would prefer his colleagues refrain from calling Sonia Sotomayor a racist.

Sen. Jeff Sessions said Sunday that he would prefer fellow Republicans stop attacking Sotomayor over remarks about her background as a daughter of Puerto Rican parents. Sotomayor in 2001 said her experiences affected her decisions on the bench.

Some conservatives, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, have said Sotomayor should withdraw her nomination.

Sessions says he looks forward to meeting with Sotomayor this week and to hearing her explain her remarks about her experiences and her decisions.

Sessions spoke on NBC's"Meet the Press."