In a largely partisan vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Judge Sonya Sotomayor to the Supreme Court by a margin of 13 to 6. From the NY Times:

As expected, all 12 Democrats on the judiciary panel voted for Judge Sotomayor, after praising her intellect, character and inspiring personal history. But among the seven Republicans on the committee, only Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina voted in favor.

The committee action sends the nomination to the full Senate, where her confirmation by a comfortable margin seems to be assured. setting the stage for a full Senate vote next week.

…

Republican critics of the judge expressed displeasure with her rulings as a member of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, as well as with some of her public comments. The rulings and comments show that she is a judge who is too “activist” and liberal and has too little commitment to the rights of gun owners, the critics complained.

Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the committee’s leading Republican, said just before the vote that he was compelled to oppose the nomination because in some important cases the judge’s decisions were “unacceptably short” and showed a “liberal, pro-government ideology against the individuals asserting their constitutional rights.”

Pior to the vote, freshman Senator Al Franken (D-MN) pledged his support to Sotomayor, hoping her presence would counter the judicial activism of the Supreme Court.

While we should all be proud that a wise, experienced woman of color is on the cusp of becoming a Supreme Court Justice, I am frankly embarrassed by the sexism and racism on display by Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama during Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings.

Here we have two white southern males, one afraid to come out of the closet, the other wearing his hypocrisy on his sleeve. First watch Senator Graham question Sotomayor’s temperament.

Graham is clearly talking down to Sotomayor, insisting that he “likes” her, and that she should appreciate that. He goes on to quote anonymous criticisms as if they were fact: she is a bully, angry, excitable and aggressive, terms often used by men afraid of strong women. Graham’s questions coupled with his statement yesterday, that “Unless you have a complete meltdown, your’re going to get confirmed,” how can you not reach the conclusion Graham’s remarks weren’t sexist? Can you imagine him questioning a man, particularly a white man, the same way? Nope. Don’t think so.

Next up… Senator Sessions questions why Sotomayor doesn’t vote like other Puerto Ricans of whom he approves, like Puerto Rican Judge Cabranes.

Sessions also said Sotomayor was “unsuitable for the bench” due to her past affiliation with an “extremist group” called the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF). Strangely enough, the previously mentioned Judge Cabranes also happens to be a board member. Tell me, why is he so preoccupied with her race?

Oh well. Perhaps it’s just sour grapes. Sessions was once nominated to serve as a federal judge, but was eventually shot down by the committee on which he now sits, because he had a problem with people of color, having once said to a white civil rights lawyer that he was a “disgrace to his race” for litigating voting rights cases. The New Republic has a thorough rundown on the fine racist, I mean Senator, from Alabama.

As I said before, I am simultaneously proud and embarrassed by today’s hearings. But not surprised. The South has a long history of devaluing women and people of color. And some unfortunately carry on the tradition, even today.