20 seconds ago 2009-12-07T11:06:45-08:00
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., seemed to try to have it both ways on diversity as he spoke to Frank Ricci, the New Haven, Conn., firefighter testifying about the controversial reverse-discrimination case.
The senator professed his belief that judges should be chosen on merit -- but then claimed that considering diversity was "a standard way of operating in political circles."
"I know that Republicans sit down and think ... let's make sure we let the whole country know the Republican Party is just not a party of short white guys," said Graham, himself a short white guy.
He seemed to try to explain himself later, saying: "What I wanted to tell the country is Republicans very much do sit down and think about political picks and appointments, in a political sense, to try to show that we are a party that looks at all Americans and wants to give an opportunity. That is just life, and that is not a bad thing."
-Larry Neumeister, AP New York-based federal courts reporter, Washington
