GOP Senators to call New Haven fire fighter Ricci to testify against Sotomayor.

[muntrv]

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Writer Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Associated Press Writer – Thu Jul 9, 5:56 pm ET
WASHINGTON – Republicans will use next week's high-profile Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor to raise concerns about her record on race, gun rights and abortion while Democrats work to defend President Barack Obama's first high court choice as a mainstream judge who sticks to the law.

The two parties offered glimpses Thursday of their strategy going into the weeklong Judiciary Committee hearings that open Monday, announcing outside witnesses who will testify about Sotomayor. Republicans' list of 14 includes New Haven, Conn., firefighter Frank Ricci, a white employee whose reverse discrimination claim was rejected by Sotomayor in an appeals court decision.

Ricci challenged the city's decision to scrap the results of a promotion test because too few minorities scored high enough to qualify. Sotomayor was part of a panel that rejected Ricci's challenge. The Supreme Court reversed that ruling last week.

Republicans point to Sotomayor's decision as evidence she might let her personal and political views — particularly a belief in racial preferences for minorities — influence her decisions. They'll also call Ben Vargas, a Puerto Rican firefighter who scored highly on New Haven's promotion exam and was the lone Hispanic joining Ricci in his lawsuit.

Democrats said they've scheduled Sotomayor's mentors, confidantes and other allies, including civil rights leaders and several witnesses who come with GOP credentials. The goal: to portray Sotomayor as a mainstream judge with fans across the ideological spectrum. Among their 15 witnesses are Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, her first boss after law school; New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who ran as a Republican but became an independent in 2007; Louis Freeh, the former FBI director first named to the federal bench by President George H.W. Bush; and Michael J. Garcia, a former Manhattan U.S. attorney who was appointed by President George W. Bush.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090709/ap_on_go_su_co/us_sotomayor_supreme_court;

[Cha]

1. Bring it..you stupid

repukes.

[LynneSin]

2. Enjoy the Dog & Pony Show.....

we'll still see her confirmed easily

[spanone]

3. and President Obama wants to play nice with these fucks.....

[ControlledDemolition]

4. He should be using wooden stakes instead! n/t

[SoCalDem]

5. What?? no Joe-the-plumber or Tito-the builder? Just Ricci-the fireman

republicans are so predictable..

[Democrats_win]

6. If Clarence Thomas shows up, we'll have a pair of hosers.

[lamp_shade]

7. Good. I look forward to watching.