Monday morning Sonia Sotomayor raised her hand to history in Washington D.C. She sat before senators deciding whether she is fit to serve.
In the middle of that history was a former comedian in his first official week on the job. Minnesota Senator Al Franken, a Democrat, said, "My first major responsibility is here at this historic confirmation hearing."
Half a country away in Des Moines, Mark Kende appreciates the history as he watched the Republican minority careful not to attack a minority. Kende, Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Drake University, said, "I think that's a real awkward position for the Republicans."
Kende follows the hearings from his office listening to every word. He said, "Unless she (Sotomayor) says something outrageous, it seems little bit of a done deal."
Democrats control 60% of the senate chamber. Republicans know they lack numbers to block her appointment. Some don't like that she once said wise Latinas may make better decisions than a white male. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley said, "I'm not looking to support a creative jurist who will allow his or her background and personal preferences to decide cases."
Kende expects them to politely make their point and Sotomayor to politely defend her reputation. Sotomayor said, "It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make the law. It is to apply the law."
So Kende believes while the week may not be filled with "Law & Order-like" drama, Kende says consider this must-see tv. Kende said, "The main reason to care is it's a unique opportunity that we don't get to see very often to see an open conversation with someone who's going to have a huge influence in the lives of ordinary people."
In the middle of that history was a former comedian in his first official week on the job. Minnesota Senator Al Franken, a Democrat, said, "My first major responsibility is here at this historic confirmation hearing."
Half a country away in Des Moines, Mark Kende appreciates the history as he watched the Republican minority careful not to attack a minority. Kende, Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Drake University, said, "I think that's a real awkward position for the Republicans."
Kende follows the hearings from his office listening to every word. He said, "Unless she (Sotomayor) says something outrageous, it seems little bit of a done deal."
Democrats control 60% of the senate chamber. Republicans know they lack numbers to block her appointment. Some don't like that she once said wise Latinas may make better decisions than a white male. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley said, "I'm not looking to support a creative jurist who will allow his or her background and personal preferences to decide cases."
Kende expects them to politely make their point and Sotomayor to politely defend her reputation. Sotomayor said, "It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make the law. It is to apply the law."
So Kende believes while the week may not be filled with "Law & Order-like" drama, Kende says consider this must-see tv. Kende said, "The main reason to care is it's a unique opportunity that we don't get to see very often to see an open conversation with someone who's going to have a huge influence in the lives of ordinary people."
