Home | News Briefs | U.S. | World
| Celeb Buzz | Entertainment | Sports | Business | Health | Sci / Tech | Politics | Weird & Offbeat
--- Advertisment ---
Update: President Fetes Sotomayor's "Only In America Story" In White House Reception
August 12, 2009 3:04 p.m. EST
--- Advertisment ---
Kris Alingod - AHN Contributor
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President Barack Obama feted his first Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, on Wednesday with an emotional reception that celebrated a moment when Democrats and Republicans "looked beyond the old divisions," but pundits called the historic event -- the White House debut of the first Hispanic justice -- a partisan victory lap.
"We're here, as well, to celebrate an extraordinary moment for our nation," Obama said. "We celebrate the impact Justice Sotomayor has already had on people across America who have been inspired by her exceptional life story. We celebrate the greatness of a country in which such a story is possible. And we celebrate how, with their overwhelming vote to confirm Justice Sotomayor, the United States Senate -- Republicans and Democrats -- tore down yet one more barrier and affirmed our belief that in America, the doors of opportunity must be open to all."
"As visionary as our founders were, they did not presume to know exactly how the times would change, what new questions fate and history would set before us,"he added. "Instead, they sought to articulate ideals that would be timeless. When Justice Sotomayor put her hand on that Bible and took that oath, we took yet another step towards realizing those ideals."
The President called Sotomayor's life "one of those 'only in America' stories" and thanked specific members of Congress for their work "to complete this process before the August recess."
Sotomayor was sworn in on Saturday as the 111th justice of the high court in two ceremonies led by Chief Justice John Roberts.
She was confirmed by the Senate last Thursday by a vote of 68-31. With only GOP 40 votes in the 100-member Senate and no Democrats announcing their opposition, confirmation was expected.
Only nine Republicans joined Democrats to support her nomination: Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Kit Bond (R-MO), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Mel Martinez (R-FL), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and George Voinovich (R-OH).
Of these, Alexander is the only one from the GOP leadership, being chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. Three of them are retiring: Gregg, Martinez and Voinovich.
Graham is the only Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee who supported the former appeals court judge when the panel endorsed her nomination to the full Senate.
"With that vote," Obama said in his Wednesday remarks, referring to her confirmation, "the Senate looked beyond the old divisions and they embraced excellence. They recognized Justice Sotomayor's intellect, her integrity, and her independence of mind; her respect for the proper role of each branch of government; her fidelity to the law in each case that she hears; and her devotion to protecting our core constitutional rights and liberties."
A Princeton and Yale Law School graduate, Sotomayor had rejected the President "empathy standard" and had repeatedly said "judges do not make law" during her four-day testimony before the Judiciary panel.
But many Republican senators, explaining their vote, had said they weren't convinced, accusing her of "re-characterizing" her statements, including a speech with the now infamous line, "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often that not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."
The debate seemed to continue on Wednesday, as pundits criticized the White House for politicizing the institution that is the Supreme Court.
USA Today said the President "got to do a victory lap today in the White House by hosting brand new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor."
"Obama didn't pressure Sotomayor to vote in a particular way. Still, it was unseemly for the president to treat Sotomayor's confirmation as a political trophy. The victory party undermined the symbolism of Sotomayor's swearing-in at the court rather than at the White House," Op-ed columnist Michael McGough wrote in the Los Angeles Times. "Once she was confirmed and sworn in, she was (and is) an officer of an independent branch of government that is often called upon to overturn the actions of the other two branches."
Attending the White House reception were Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Paul Stevens.
The court reconvenes on Sept. 9, and begins its new term on Oct. 5, with the 55-year-old Sotomayor in place of retired Justice David Souter.
A formal investiture ceremony for Sotomayor, the third woman Supreme Court Justice, will be held on Sept. 8 at 2:00 pm at a special sitting of the high court.
Copyright © 2003 - 2009 AHN - All rights reserved.Redistribution, republication. syndication, rewriting or broadcast is prohibited without the prior written consent of AHN.License AHN news for your website, business, digital signage network or publication.
Home | News Briefs | U.S. | World | Entertainment | Sports | Business | Health | Sci / Tech | Politics | Weird / Offbeat
© 2009 AHN
Client Login |
Submit News |
Privacy Policy |
Terms of Use
|
Contact
| Content Services
All Rights Reserved
Other News on Thursday, 13 August 2009 Iran reformists seize on prisoner abuses
Microsoft Office coming to Nokia smartphones
Rare flowering of Chinese tree in Belgium
US, UBS settle out of court in tax secrecy case
Syria plays mediator in Iran-France tensions
US trade deficit widens as imports, exports rise
'Tele-transporting' to Paris' Champs Elysees
US, Afghan troops launch operation to protect vote
Studios win ruling over RealNetworks' DVD copying
Islamists hack Kosovo daily website
Iran speaker says vote detainees not been raped
Microsoft Office coming to Nokia mobiles
Brazil scandal draws in Lula's chosen successor
| International
|
Kuwait foils Qaeda plan to attack oil refinery
Israeli paper says strike on Iran could delay bomb
French teenager hurt by shattering iPhone
U.S. sees signs of disarray within Pakistani Taliban
| International
|
Microsoft ordered to pay over $290 million in patent case
ET text home? Send SMSes to outer space
Make breaking, leaving nuke treaty harder: U.S.
| International
|
Georgian blogger says will not be silenced
Canadian government savaged over failure to aid citizen
| International
|
Battle with rebels kills and wounds scores in Yemen
| International
|
Russia hostage to its imperial past: Ukraine
| International
|
Microsoft Office coming to Nokia smartphones
World Bank pledges more help for ambitious Rwanda
| International
|
Microsoft Office coming to Nokia mobiles
Filipino troops kill 20 Muslim extremists in raids
WTO win could open China's door to US companies
Obama to talk about military at VFW on Monday
FBI expert testifies at Mumbai terror attack trial
Chicago TV judge to hear 5-legged puppy case
Explosion, gunfire at Pakistan checkpoint kill 2
Victim of Pa. gym shooting remembered at funeral
NYPD divers remove helicopter pieces from Hudson
Taiwan scrambles to rescue 1,000 from landslide villages
Public wake for Eunice Kennedy Shriver scheduled
Corruption watchdog picked for Khmer Rouge trial
Khmer Rouge official wants 'harshest punishment'
Jakes counsels patience in economic 'sorrows'
Schools in Mumbai closed amid swine flu panic
Activist who left water sentenced for littering
Hundreds still missing from Taiwan mudslide
Specter: Health reform critics not representative
Rescuers try to reach Spanish climber in Pakistan
Studios win ruling over RealNetworks' DVD copying
| Technology
|
WTO orders China to ease curbs on foreign films
EU opens anti-dumping probe in Chinese steel cable exports
AirAsia profits surge in second quarter
WTO win could open China's door to US companies
Total targeted in debate over Myanmar sanctions
India industrial production surges 7.8 pct in June
China formally arrests 4 Rio Tinto employees
Kia Motors says 2nd quarter profit soars
Pakistan's 12-mth T-bill yield rises to 12.2292 pct
Rio employees face trade secrets, bribery charges
Riccardo Muti unearths Rossini rarity in Salzburg
Stallone to be honoured at Venice Film Festival
Romanian movie opens 15th Sarajevo Film Festival
Desperate times bring desperate men to television
| Entertainment
|
Kelly Clarkson happy with weight, but photo altered
| Entertainment
|
U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Begins TV Blitz Against Obama's Healthcare Plan
Playwright David Mamet to pen Anne Frank film
| Entertainment
|
Update: Suspect In CA Toll Worker's Death Arrested
Update: President Fetes Sotomayor's "Only In America Story" In White House Reception
Jennifer Hudson gives birth to boy
| Entertainment
|
U.S. drug agents conduct new raid in Jackson probe
| Entertainment
|
U.S. Aircraft Carrier In Manila, Troops To Conduct Community Service
Iraq book ban raises fears of free speech clampdown
Madoff's Financial Chief Pleads Guilty In New York
Debut concert for lonesome French world hip hop champs
Riccardo Muti unearths Rossini rarity in Salzburg
Swine flu deaths halt Bollywood releases
Bolivia's alpaca farmers feel bite of crisis
US writers on winning streak in France
Tribute paid to Berlin Wall escape tunnel heroes
Stallone to be honoured at Venice Film Festival
Women 'pickier than men' about one-night stands
Romanian movie opens 15th Sarajevo Film Festival
Joel Madden Horrified When Strangers Tried To Sell Him A Baby In Traffic
"Posh" Victoria Beckham Starts Speaking Like Queen Elizabeth
Britney Spears' Sons Caught Swearing In Public
Spitzer Telescope Sees Rare Planet Collision 100 Light-Years Away
News
News
News
News
News
Fear of Iran-style unrest grips Afghans before vote
Putin promises military backing for rebel Abkhazia
Pressure mounts on Taiwan government over mudslide rescues
| International
|
US military embraces robot 'revolution'
Fed eyes modest pullback from stimulus
Minister in Russia's Caucasus shot dead in office
TV station fined for misquoting official in Iraq
M. Douglas 'devastated' by drug charges against son
Diplomat: Iran opposes US base deal for Colombia
Social gadgets added to iGoogle homepages
Obama honors Tutu, Hawking, Poitier, Robinson
Facebook testing Twitter-like "Lite" version
Paradise is being in love -- or having a beer
Iran conservatives reject prisoner rape claims
US-TECH Summary
Two Israeli civilians shot and wounded in West Bank
Deutsche Telekom to cut 3,000 jobs
Scotland to decide soon on Lockerbie bomber
| International
|
Cisco says it can improve tech, music industry ties
Iraqi PM to visit Syria for security talks
Australian parliament rejects carbon trade plan
| International
|
Middle East, North Africa choking Web freedom: study
As crisis deepens, Roma a powderkeg in Hungary
| International
|
Mobile phone sales down six pct in second quarter
Remote Russian region builds on billionaire's legacy
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Australian Senate defeats greenhouse gas bills
Slain Jakarta florist said to have plotted blasts
U.S. sports arena hosts health clinic of last resort
Yves Saint Laurent's house in Morocco up for sale
Quake-prone Japan still waiting for 'the big one'
LA City Council OK's $8.1M for 2 firefighters
Dozens die in militant battle in Pakistan
Retiring Los Angeles police chief has book deal
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Ex-Clinton aide named in prison smuggling case
Bad weather stymies Papua New Guinea crash probe
Cisco says it can improve tech, music industry ties
| Technology
|
Clinton heads to Liberia to show women power
Another strong quake strikes disaster-hit Japan
Malaysia helps Indonesia in terror suspect hunt
Man accused of decapitating horse will go to trial
Taiwan sends soldiers to join storm relief work
Japan's PM faces uphill battle even on home turf
Report: Cheney felt Bush stopped taking his advice
Sylvester Stallone to be honored at Venice fest
Michael Douglas calls son's arrest devastating
Award-winner Mamet to direct Disney 'Anne Frank' remake
Pakistani c.bank buys 10 bln rupees of govt paper
Toyota to make more fuel-efficient hybrid: report
China might appeal WTO ruling on film import
Retiring Los Angeles police chief has book deal
'House Bunny' star Anna Faris weds fiance in Bali
GE calls Fox bombs report 'maliciously false'
Leno escapes guild's wrath over monologues
Taiwan dollar reverses 2-week closing low on Fed
Brazil TV host accused of ordering murders
Seoul shares rise on Fed comments; MSCI additions up
Sylvester Stallone to be honored at Venice fest
Michael Douglas calls son's arrest devastating
Korea Hot Stocks
S.Korean bonds fall after Fed remarks
US judge blocks sale of DVD copying software
Authorized Jackson photo book in the works
| Entertainment
|
Philly schools considering Tony Danza reality show
Michael Douglas calls son's arrest devastating
| Entertainment
|
Organizers drop plan to change Emmys format
NZ manufacturing improves in July, near expansion
California pays to lure filmmakers back to Hollywood
| Entertainment
|
Denzel Washington eyes TV producing gig
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares open higher, MSCI additions up
Indonesian court rejects opposition vote challenge
Organizers drop plan to change Emmys format
| Entertainment
|
Sylvester Stallone to be honored at Venice fest
| Entertainment
|
Anna Nicole Smith friend can sue, not for gay claim
| Entertainment
|
Rights group: Israel killed unarmed Palestinians
Russian navy scours Atlantic for vanished ship
Court slaps ban on some Microsoft Word sales
Thailand to appeal extradition ruling on Merchant of Death
| International
|
Germany, France exit recession, boosts eurozone
Pakistan gunfights involving Mehsud men kill 15: officials
EU strengthens Myanmar sanctions over Suu Kyi trial
| International
|
Climate change turning Aussie birds smaller: study
Three wounded in north Lebanon bombing
Wounded leader returns as Ingush president
Iran cleric says obeying Ahmadinejad like obeying God
| International
|
Germany 2Q GDP shows unexpected growth: data
Bombs kill 14 civilians in Afghanistan
Abdullah trying to prove he is no Afghan also-ran
| International
|
Girl's death stirs German outrage over child neglect
| International
|
Bomb wounds three in north Lebanon
Afghan president's brother denies drugs link
| International
|
Has Kremlin mastermind given game away in novel?
| International
|
At least 53 dead in major battle in Philippine south
| International
|
Court slaps ban on some Microsoft Word sales
| Technology
|
US panel says India fails to protect minorities
SKorean worker held in NKorea returns to South
Wal-Mart posts flat 2Q profit, beats expectations
Detained Philippine communist rebel ordered freed
Man gets 12 years in 4-year-old's beating death
Taiwanese villagers flee swollen lake that bursts
Emotions high over release of Lockerbie bomber
North Korea frees South Korean detainee
Malaysia activists welcome web censorship U-turn
Obama hits road to debunk healthcare 'misinformation'
Cisco says it can improve tech, music industry ties
| Technology
|
Protest delays demolition of Malaysia cowherd town
Karzai offers gov't jobs to presidential rivals
Fla. museum gets lifeboat from pirate rescue
Schools shut in India as swine flu anxiety spreads
Unity goal as modern South marks Civil War's 150th
SKorea says NKorea frees detained SKorean worker
Obama's Cabinet secretaries tour rural Alaska
Rep. Kennedy: Dad's illness has united family
Analysis: In attorneys probe, one burning question
Wis. cold-case suspect led life of crime
China might appeal WTO ruling on film import
Minister: China wants more say over iron prices
Sequel to Bruce Lee master biopic starts filming
China shares rebound after sharp decline
Seoul shares slip, but techs lend support =2
"Avatar" trailer tickets to be available online
Ssangyong Motor resumes production after strike
Japan stocks rebound on Fed's economy call
Australia extends 'world's best job' to four more
Vietnam plans Japanese bullet train link: media
Hutchison Whampoa's first-half earns plunge 33 pct
Metro station in Algeria's capital: link to the past
Denzel Washington eyes TV producing gig
China steel makers urged to stop future projects
Mass grave yields testimony to Australia's bloodiest day
Drug addicts journey to vomit and vow at Thai temple
Indonesia bans meeting of exiled Myanmar activists
Celebrity birthdays for the week of Aug. 16-22
Has Kremlin mastermind given game away in novel?
| Entertainment
|
Avatar trailer tickets to be available online
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights