Why obama chose sotomayor

Leaders hope a court brawl will help rebuild their movement. As insurance, they note that when she was confirmed for the federal appeals court in , among those voting for her were then-Sen. Bill Frist and then-Sen. Rick Santorum, both of whom are abortion opponents.

Democrats contend that Sotomayor does not have a long paper trail on hot-button social issues, especially abortion. In one case, the administration will argue she came down on the side of judicial restraint. And those who fight over it will seem needlessly partisan.

Of course, the judicial-confirmation process can take surprising turns, as Senators delve more deeply into the background of a nominee.

Perhaps you've heard of Clarence Thomas? Which is why Senate Republicans want to give this one a lot of time. See the Cartoons of the Week. Supporters say her appointment history, along with what they call her moderate-liberal views, would give her some bipartisan backing in the Senate. However, Sotomayor has endured recent criticism in the media and blogs from both the left and right over perceived -- some defenders say invented -- concerns about her temperament and intellect.

As she has risen through the judicial ranks, Sotomayor increasingly has drawn the ire and opposition of conservatives. A majority of Republican senators opposed her elevation to the appellate court in Read about Sotomayor's record ». Conservatives point to, among other things, her authoring of a opinion supporting a decision by the city of New Haven, Connecticut, to throw out the results of a firefighter promotion exam because almost no minorities qualified for promotions.

The Supreme Court heard an appeal of the case in April; a final opinion is pending. Her critics also highlight comments she made during a panel discussion at Duke University in , where she told students that the federal Court of Appeals is where "policy is made.

Because we don't 'make law' I'm not promoting it, and I'm not advocating it. Having said that, the Court of Appeals is where Senate Republicans "will thoroughly examine [Sotomayor's] record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law even-handedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky.

The hot-button social issue of abortion also promises to play a contentious role in Sotomayor's confirmation process. Learn about the other Supreme Court justices ». Charmaine Yoest, head of Americans United for Life, ripped Obama's choice of Sotomayor, calling it "a radical pick that divides America. Sotomayor's appointment "would provide a pedestal for an avowed judicial activist Sotomayor "will serve the nation with distinction," countered Kim Gandy, head of the National Organization for Women.

Obama's nominee will replace retiring Justice David Souter, who announced this month he would step down when the court's current session ends this summer. Watch why Democrats want the process to go quickly ».