12 seconds ago 2009-11-10T10:05:03-08:00
Sonia Sotomayor's latest rhetorical flourish is the phrase "rhetorical flourish."
Again today, she's using that phrase in an attempt to put to rest questions about her 2001 statement that she hoped a "wise Latina" often would reach better conclusions than a white male who lacked the same life experience.
The question today came from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who compared her comment to one from former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor who once said a man and woman would eventually reach the same conclusion in a case.
"My rhetorical flourish, just like hers, can be read literally," Sotomayor said.
She expressed regret -- again -- for her "wise Latina" statement, saying she understands why some people were offended by it.
-Ron Fournier, AP Washington bureau chief
