Debate continues ahead of Sotomayor hearing

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By Kara Rowland

UPDATED:

Just hours before the start of the confirmation hearing of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, the senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee continued to question her ability to be an impartial judge.

"I think philosophically her statements indicate an approach to judging that is outside the mainstream," Sen. Jeff Sessions said in a nationally broadcast interview, the Associated Press reported.

But on another morning show, Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said "She's not far left. She's not far right. She's mainstream," the AP reported, indicating that debate will likely be a theme in Monday's hearing.

The Senate Judiciary Committee starts at 10 a.m. Monday the confirmation hearing of Judge Sotomayor to replace outgoing Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter. Judge Sotomayor, a member of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, has met with 89 senators.

The prospects of her confirmation appeared good Sunday after Mr. Schumer said he expects her to receive more votes than the hefty majority for Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Republicans indicated they don't expect a filibuster.

"She has wowed people," Mr. Schumer said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "She is going to be approved by a large margin."

Mr. Schumer predicted that Judge Sotomayor, who would become the first Hispanic member of the nation's high court, likely would garner more support than Chief Justice Roberts, who received 78 votes in 2005.

Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican, said he doubts Judge Sotomayor will have a fate similar to another Hispanic nominee to the federal bench, Miguel Estrada, whose confirmation was filibustered by Democrats seven times.