Graham hints at support for Sotomayor

Like Tuesday, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is providing some of the best exchanges in the week of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Unlike Tuesday, he now sounds like he supports the nominee.

Graham said Thursday morning that Sotomayor is “generally in the mainstream,” and that he believes she can rule impartially. Yet Graham made clear that he remains bothered by the judge’s speeches and
statements, which he said suggested an activist mentality.

“You have come a long way. You have worked very hard. You have earned the respect of Ken Starr. And you have said some things that bug the hell out of me,” Graham said.

Sotomayor used the opportunity to disavow again–as she’s done several times this week–a controversial remark in a 2001 speech that a “wise Latina woman” would have a superior judicial mindset than a
white man.

“I regret that I have offended some of you. I believe that my life demonstrates that that was not my intent to leave the impression that has been created by my words,” Sotomayor told Graham.

“I believe you. Good luck,” Graham said, ending his 20-minute round of questioning of Sotomayor on Thursday morning.

–J. Taylor Rushing