Tulsa World: Coburn says he is 'extremely troubled' by Sotomayor

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Coburn says he is 'extremely troubled' by Sotomayor

Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Tom Coburn speaks on Capitol Hill Monday in Washington during the committee's confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor. RON EDMONDS/AP Photo

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 7/13/2009 12:50 PM
Last Modified: 7/13/2009 6:05 PM

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn on Monday told Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor he was “extremely troubled” by her previous questioning of whether transcending personal sympathies is possible in most cases or even desirable.

“Judge Sotomayor, you must prove to the Senate that you will adhere to the proper role of a judge,” the Oklahoma Republican said.

Referring to her judicial philosophy, the senator said the burden of proof rests with Sotomayor, adding that burden has been exaggerated by not only her own statements but President Obama’s stated intent to nominate someone who favors certain groups of people.

Coburn made his comments during his opening statement at the confirmation hearing for Sotomayor.

He applauded her resume and accomplishments and, with her family and friends sitting in the audience, described her nomination as a remarkable moment for the country.

Still, Coburn laid out a number of concerns about the nominee, ranging from her statement that race and gender could make someone a better judge to her praise for the judicial system’s unpredictability.

He questioned whether the statements were made to be provocative or were heartfelt. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee praised Sotomayor and pointed to her place in history if confirmed.

She was compared to other judicial pioneers.

After opening statements are completed, Sotomayor is scheduled to speak to the panel.

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By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Sotomayor vows fidelity to law," which was published on 7/14/2009. So far, 144 comments have been made.