14 seconds ago 2009-11-10T02:55:01-08:00
Don't expect Republican Sen. Charles Grassley to lead the charge against Sotomayor. Grassley faces re-election next year in Iowa, a state that is increasingly turning Democratic and Hispanic. Attacking the first-ever Hispanic nominee to the Supreme Court too aggressively could hurt him.
Grassley voted against Sotomayor's nomination to the Appeals Court, though he concedes he doesn't remember why. `"Grassley has been known for his independence,'' said Republican operative David Roederer. "That makes Grassley a little unique. He voted against her once and that gives him a lot of flexibility.''
Democrats have not found a big-name opponent to take on Grassley. The only candidate so far is Bob Krause, best known for serving in the state legislature in the 1970s and not considered a strong challenge to Grassley.
"Ultimately he hasn't had the challenge that some other senators around the country have had," said Democratic operative Mark Daley, who worked for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. "There's no question that the most pressure he's feeling is from the beltway, not the heartland."
-Mike Glover, AP politics reporter, Des Moines, Iowa
Sen. Charles Grassley (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, FILE)
