Specter: "I'd Like To See The Court Televised"

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn.) reflects on the media's overwhelming presence during Judge Sonia Sotomayor's first day of confirmation hearings. Specter insists that the increased attention on Supreme Court nominations suggests a growing popular interest in Court affairs. Consequently, Specter asks SCOTUS justices, and Sotomayor if she is confirmed, to consider allowing television networks into the Supreme Court. (0:45)
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Klobuchar To Sotomayor: I Believe You Can Be A Justice For All Of Us

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) confirms that she supports Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination with the condition that Sotomayor enforce the law "without fear or favor." Klobuchar explains that in her opinion, Sotomayor's background and experience should allow Sotomayor to remain "humble." (0:36)
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Schumer Praises Sotomayor's "Great American Story"

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) applauds Judge Sonia Sotomayor's determination and success despite the adversity she has faced. Schumer cites Sotomayor's life as an example of "great national opportunity", adding that the United States allowed a woman from lower class origins to reach such a prestigious situation. The Senator calls Sotomayor's biography a "great American story." (0:24)
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Klobuchar Defends Sotomayor's Background And Experience

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) praises the diversity of the Judicial Committee, of which she is a member, and uses her personal experience to draw a parallel with the importance of including men and women from different backgrounds and experiences in the Supreme Court to ensure that a decision is taken based on different points of view. (0:36)
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Franken Calls For Judicial Restraint At Sotomayor Hearing

Newly sworn in Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) warns against the dangers of judicial activism during his introductory remarks during Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings on Monday. Franken suggests that in his opinion, the Supreme Court may have recently crossed its role with that of legislative branch in Congress. (0:29)
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Sen. Whitehouse Asks Sotomayor To Use Discretion Wisely

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) tells Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor that he'd like to avoid code words and is looking for her to give a simple pledge to use the broad discretion of a Supreme Court Justice wisely. (0:31)
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Sen. Graham Troubled By Sotomayor's "Wise Latina" Comment

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) tells Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor that her previous speeches are troubling to him. He specifically highlighted her "wise Latina woman" comment and said that it is important to see how a judge thinks about life, even when they're outside of the court room and out of the robe. He says if he had made a statement even remotely like that, his career would have been over. (0:24)
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Sen. Schumer: Sotomayor's Record Shows Judicial Modesty

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) explains that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's record shows her judicial modesty. He says it is the judicial record, more than speeches, statements and backgrounds, that measures judicial modesty. Sotomayor "more than measures up," in Schumer's opinion. (0:31)
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Sen. Grassley Not Looking For A 'Creative' Justice

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said during the first day of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings that he's not looking to support a creative justice who will allow his/her background and personal preferences to decide cases. (0:15)
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Sen. Feingold: Courage Is Key For SCOTUS Justice

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) says one of the most important qualities a Supreme Court Justice should have is courage, primarily the courage to stand up to the President and to Congress in order to protect the Constitutional rights of the American people and preserve the rule of law. (0:14)
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Sen. Kohl: SCOTUS Decisions Affect Real People With Real Problems

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) says a Supreme Court Justice should realize that decisions handed down by the Court affect real people with real problems. Kohl adds that [Justices] must have a connection with and an understanding of the problems that people struggle with on a day to day basis. He says, "justice after all may be blind but it should not be deaf." (0:18)
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Sen. Sessions Wants Public To Follow Sotomayor Hearings Closely

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) says during day one of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor that he hopes the American people follow the hearings closely. He notes that he would like for the public to consider the question: If I were to go to court one day what kind of judge do I want ruling in that case? (0:39)
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Lindsey Graham: Barring A Meltdown, Sotomayor Will Be Confirmed

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks to Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor during the first day of her confirmation hearings. Despite his criticism of the nominee he tells her, "Unless you have a complete meltdown, you're gonna get confirmed." (0:04)
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MOS: Marylander Says Sotomayor Represents Nation's Diverse Population

Susanne Coleman of Linthicum, MD describes her satisfaction in Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court because she believes that electing a woman and a minority to the Court will better reflect the ethnic diversity of our nation. (0:24).
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MOS: Philadelphian Says Sotomayor Represents Diversity Of U.S.

Raquel Toledo of Philadelphia, PA supports Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court because she believes it will better reflect the makeup of the nation. (:08)
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Klobuchar: Good Judges Ask Tough Questions

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) shoots down allegations against Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor that claim she has been too tough in the past. Boxer argues that all good judges have to ask tough questions. (0:24)
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GOP'ers Defending Sotomayor From Conservative Attacks, Says Klobuchar

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) explains how Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor does not need help from women's activist groups because Republican Senators have defended the nominee against attacks from conservative commentators. (0:24)
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Rep. Velázquez: Hispanic Community Proud Of Sotomayor

Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) says Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court is a historic moment for Latinos and Latinas. She says it gives them a sense of pride to see someone from their [Hispanic] community rise past so many obstacles and challenges and earn her place on the "highest court in the land." (0:23)
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Sen. Menendez Will Continue To Urge Swift Confirmation Of Sotomayor

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) says he'll continue to urge his colleagues to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the Supreme Court in a timely manner. He says the average number of days from nomination to confirmation for a Supreme Court Justice is 72 days and that he doesn't expect the situation to be any different for Sotomayor. (0:54)
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Sen. Sessions Believes Second Amendment Is A Fundamental Right

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) says, “In cases that she decided Judge Sotomayor, earlier this year, rendered an opinion that held that the Second Amendment is not a fundamental right.” He says the question of whether or not it is a fundamental right is extremely significanct. (0:24)
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