Tulsa World: Inhofe will vote no on Sotomayor

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Inhofe will vote no on Sotomayor
The senator says his decision is a "foregone conclusion."

AGAINST
Sen. James Inhofe: He says Sonia Sotomayor "will be definitely confirmed" because she is a woman and a Hispanic.

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 6/18/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 6/18/2009 3:15 AM

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe said Wednesday he will vote against confirming the Supreme Court nomination of U.S. Circuit Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

"That was a foregone conclusion,'' the Oklahoma Republican said, citing his 1998 opposition to Sotomayor's nomination to her current post.

"If you voted against anyone on the circuit (court), I have never been able to see how you turn around when the bar is actually higher and support it at a higher level.''

In an earlier statement, Inhofe called Sotomayor's personal life story truly inspiring but was concerned about whether she follows the "proper role of judges and refrains from legislating from the bench.''

In explaining his decision Wednesday, the veteran senator mentioned Sotomayor's own comments.

"She stated in different times of her career that she believes that circuit courts should be making policy and not just interpreting the law as it exists," Inhofe said.

He also singled out what he sees as her willingness to rely on the "international community" in making her decisions.

Just seconds after announcing his opposition to confirming Sotomayor's nomination, however, Inhofe predicted it will be successful.

"She will be definitely confirmed," he said, adding that other Republicans will be too afraid to vote against Sotomayor because she is a woman and a Hispanic.

"I'm predicting half the Republicans at least will end up supporting her who might not otherwise because of

these things I just mentioned."

His decision, which Inhofe spokesman Jared Young said was announced several days ago in a radio interview, comes about a month before confirmation hearings are to begin on the nomination.

Sotomayor has been meeting one-on-one with individual senators.

Young said the senator was offered a meeting with the judge but turned it down since he already had made his decision to oppose her nomination and did not wish to take up her time.

Jim Myers (202) 484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Inhofe says he will vote against Sotomayor," which was published on 6/17/2009.

	Report Comment Bedazzled, (6/17/2009 8:06:20 PM) We know you are the party of "no" with no new ideas. I vote against you Senator Inhofe.
	Report Comment Popeye, T-Town (6/17/2009 8:07:08 PM) What Rooster said... Times two!
	Report Comment desert fox, (6/17/2009 8:31:26 PM) Did he vote for her when Bush 1 nominated her for a federal post? Regardless, I think Inhofe is a dreadful, dark, Knee-jerk partisan.
	Report Comment desert fox, (6/17/2009 8:34:41 PM) I should have read the story before commenting but I stand by my second sentence above.
	Report Comment douglassm, tulsa (6/17/2009 8:35:08 PM) God this guy is a loser. Voters should be embarrassed (those that voted for and those that didn't vote at all.)
	Report Comment Mr. Left, Tulsa (6/17/2009 8:39:40 PM) inhofe is in the party of no and hate !!
	Report Comment KJNOKIE, TULSA (6/17/2009 8:40:50 PM) That cinches it. Sotomayor must be great!
	Report Comment Better Than, (6/17/2009 8:44:47 PM) I vote against Inhofe and he continues to get elected. Must be me.
	Report Comment commonsense, Tulsa (6/17/2009 8:45:55 PM) Inhofe has an agenda,go against any and everything President Obama suggest.It was obvious when he ran his last election and having Obama in every commerical. I dont thing the president was ever running for Oklahoma Senate seat. Inhofe has truly displayed the color of his neck.........Routinely fighting the principles of America being a melting pot of ethnic diversity.
	Report Comment KJNOKIE, TULSA (6/17/2009 8:51:19 PM) When the Republicans like the decisions of the court, they never mention "legislating from the bench". Typical hypocrisy.
	Report Comment jett rink, (6/17/2009 9:01:30 PM) Old Jim: unencumbered by the thought process...what a closed-minded moron.
	Report Comment Ayo, T-Town (6/17/2009 9:02:31 PM) LOL, like anyone cares what you think, do or say, Inhofe. OMG! She's going to take your guns! And she's a racist bigot who's going to make you pay for past transgressions. Oh nooooooooo. The boogy girl, is here. And she's Brown! And she speaks Spanish!! hehehhehehehehehe. Sheez. Hang onto your guns, boys. There's a new girl in town. hehehehe.
	Report Comment Cunning Legalist, (6/17/2009 9:23:53 PM) In the pic, Inhofe demonstrates the technique that Ted Haggard and Larry Craig taught him...
	Report Comment Bball Fan, (6/17/2009 9:39:28 PM) No surprise here. He's an idiot!
	Report Comment JTR, (6/17/2009 9:42:52 PM) Inhofe is prejudiced. Or biased. Or whatever. He's going to vote against her even before the confirmation hearing. Even before letting her have a chance to make her case and respond to the issues he is whining about. What a hypocrite. Oh, and the notion that this candidate "legislates" from the bench is laughable. Familiar right wing rhetoric lacking factual support.
	Report Comment Work in Progress, (6/17/2009 9:43:10 PM) Thank you Senator but she will probably still get placed on the bench.
	Report Comment Hijinx, (6/17/2009 9:48:54 PM) He just wants to make sure the whole country knows we Okies have two village idiots in the Senate. How dare Dr.No get all the laughs, er, press.
	Report Comment Golden Hurricane, Tulsa (6/17/2009 9:50:22 PM) Seriously, if you voted for Jim Inhofe you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. There is no doubt that this man is the most uneducated politician this state has ever seen, and that is saying something because we've had some dense ones. Inhofe is a black eye to the state of Oklahoma, he has no respect in Washington and deservedly so. I'm sure Sotomayor is really concerned with this right wing extremist biggot.
	Report Comment Webmeister, Tulsa (6/17/2009 10:01:33 PM) Sotomayor and Obama: Similar as two peas in a pod. Both are ALL about race. They are consumed by it. They reek of it. They ARE the definition of Racism. Both are Affirmative Action babies. Although we know that Sotomayor actually had some grades. Where are President Obambi's? Oh, still part and parcel of his HIDDEN paper trail. He doesn't want to break that special SPELL. Still waiting...... Waiting...... Crickets.
	Report Comment James Young, Tulsa, Austin, Temecula (6/17/2009 10:07:12 PM) Inhofe is battling MCConnell and Pat Roberts in a race to the bottom.
	Report Comment commonsense, Tulsa (6/17/2009 10:08:04 PM) Web......?????
	Report Comment QuestionTheSource, Tulsa (6/17/2009 10:12:01 PM) And yet amazingly, this idiot keeps getting re-elected. Shame on US! p.s. Rabbit Eyes, thanks for making your mind up now - God forbid you allow for the possibility that things may have changed since her last appointment. Out of morbid curiosity, what do you plan on doing with those extra three seconds you saved by eliminating her confirmation testimony?
	Report Comment jess, (6/17/2009 10:15:52 PM) Even if you don't like Inhofe, he is correct on this call. Sotomayer is a total disaster as a judge. No matter your political persuasion, you don't want someone like her on the bench. You want laws passed by your elected representatives, not judges. Also, she has a very poor record on the bench. There are many, many others out there who would be much better.
	Report Comment Ayo, T-Town (6/17/2009 10:27:11 PM) OH wow, jess the genius has spoken. It must be so! ------------------------------------------------ "I only have one question. Senator, have you been drinking?" Anyone with a face that red, and that pocked must be a heavy drinker. Or maybe, it's just bad DNA.
	Report Comment Ayo, T-Town (6/17/2009 10:29:26 PM) "Both are ALL about race. They are consumed by it. They reek of it. They ARE the definition of Racism." hehehehehhehehehehehehe, WTeffff?

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