Top 5 moments from opening day

Here are our Top Five stick-in-your-brain things, in no particular order, about the opening day of the Sotomayor confirmation hearings:

5. This quote from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.: "Unless you have a complete meltdown, you're going to get confirmed." He added: "And I don't think you will" have a meltdown. Candid admission for a senator, and a Republican one no less.

4. An early recess. Chairman Patrick Leahy called it a day at 3 p.m. EDT, much earlier than anyone expected for the hearing's opening session -- especially for notoriously long-winded senators. Senators all gave their opening statements, and so did Sotomayor in seemingly record time.

3. Sotomayor's facial expressions. The world hasn't seen much of her before. Larry Neumeister, AP federal court reporter who has covered Sotomayor for 17 years, says the judge was wearing the face she wears when she listens intently. "Her expressions today reflected her confidence in herself," he says.

2. Al Franken. All eyes were on the new Democratic senator from Minnesota. It was his Senate debut, but the former Saturday Night Live comedian mostly kept his humor in check. In fact, he seemed borderline boring.

1. Abortion protesters. They interrupted the proceedings three times by shouting and were escorted out of the room by security. Among those arrested: The plaintiff in Roe v. Wade. Better known as "Jane Roe," she's 61-year-old Norma McCorvey of Texas.

-Liz Sidoti, AP reporter, politics