Day two of Sotomayor hearings: wise Latinas and nunchucks
The second day of the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor featured more questions, more answers, more references to the controversial "wise Latina" quote, and a puzzling line of questioning involving nunchucks. Below, a summary of memorable moments from the day's proceedings.
The "wise Latina" responds
Judge Sotomayor and Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina shared a heated exchange regarding Sotomayor's oft-quoted and controversial "wise Latina woman" remark and how it informs her judgment. Earlier, when questioned by Sen. Sessions, Sotomayor claimed that the comment was a "rhetorical flourish that fell flat... it was bad." That admission didn't satisfy Sen. Graham, who chastised the judge for her allegedly poor choice of words. You can watch Sen. Graham's take on the remark in the video below.
Even senators bicker
Sotomayor got a few unscripted breaks from bickering committee members. Sen. Leahy and Sen. Sessions got into a bit of a tiff when Sen. Sessions gave his own synopsis on one of Sotomayor's past decisions. Sen. Leahy, in need of a cough drop, chimed in by asking if "that was a question." While it seemed awkward to viewers, the smile on Sessions' face indicated that this sort of exchange is par for the course in politics. Bickering isn't just for siblings and unhappy couples.
Didn't mean to turn you on
Protesters disrupted the hearings several times during day two. After one pro-life protester was forcibly removed from the chamber, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who had been speaking, joked that "people always say I have the ability to turn people on." The surprising innuendo led to a loud round of laughter. Even Judge Sotomayor seemed amused. Video below.
Nunchucks?! Seriously?
In one of the more unintentionally light exchanges, Sen. Orrin Hatch questioned Sotomayor on Maloney v. Rice. The case involved New York's controversial banning of nunchucks, a martial arts weapon made from two sticks of wood. While serious injuries can result, there was something surreal about seeing two very powerful legal minds debate a weapon used by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Video below.