Obama to Name Sonia Sotomayor as Supreme Court Nominee

President Barack Obama will make history today and announce Judge Sonia Sotomayor, currently a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, as his Supreme Court nominee, reports the New York Times, Washington Post and Associated Press.

Sotomayor, 54, would succeed the retiring Justice David Souter. If confirmed by the Democratic-controlled Senate—which is extremely likely—she would become the first Hispanic in on the Supreme Court. If chosen, she also becomes only the third woman to serve. A formal announcement is expected at 11 AM ET.

Born to parents who came from Puerto Rico, Sotomayor grew up in a Bronx housing project. She was nominated as a federal judge to the Southern District of New York by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. Sotomayor was later nominated by President Bill Clinton to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1997.

Think Progress reports that in "addition to her 16 years of court experience and her time as editor of the Yale Law Review, Sotomayor also 'spent five years as a prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney, then developed her substantial civil practice as a commercial litigator.' "

Since the retirement of Souter was announced, Somotamyor's name has been mentioned as a top candidate to replace the justice. As mentioned on Rod 2.0, conservatives have already started a smear campaign against Sotomayor. The well-respected SCOTUS Blog underscored the historic nature of a Sotomayor nomination and warned Republicans it will be "hopeless" to try to block her nomination.

Comments

[Derrick from Philly]

Wonderful news!

[Luther]

Its days like this that the only in America could this happen and bought tears to my eyes, great pick and good luck to her! Common sense and not an agenda, its going to be very, very interesting to see how the GIOP attacks her, especially in light of the fact that she was appointed by a Republican president and will be just what the court needs to counter the inept, unqualified justice he appointed as well!

[Gary]

I hate to be a prick, because I know how much Americans love their patriotism, but "only in America could this happen"?

What, the smear campaign?

Plenty of other countries have had minorities in high positions of authority before, buddy.

But it is, of course, fantastic news. Yay Sonia!

[Cevin Fisher]

@ Gary:

Of course you are being a prick.

But if you know of any other G7 nation that would elect as president a man who was biracial and father came from Africa, or appoint a supreme court justice who was also a minority and was born in the housing porojects .. please let me know.

(crickets)

[mechadude2001]

I hope Prez Obama doesn't back down on this one. In recent elections, Republicans have been painting themselves as the party for the Latinos. Well, i hope this brings to light who's really down for minorities.

[Dameion]

this is wonderful news, i am so happy today

even if we lose the prop 8 ruling today, i am still excited that 'change' is happening