Sotomayor Vote Carries Risks for These Senators

Judiciary committee members share spotlight with nominee
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 28, 2009 9:02 AM CDT
Sotomayor Vote Carries Risks for These Senators
The Senate Judiciary Committee's ranking Republican, Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. left, confers with Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation looks likely, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some drama between here and there. Politico runs down which senators have the most to win—and the most to lose:  

  • Patrick Leahy: Facing his first nominee as judiciary chairman, Leahy’s eager to get Sotomayor through ASAP, but risks Republican wrath if he rushes.

  • Jeff Sessions: Became the committee's ranking Republican when Arlen Specter jumped ship. The whole party will be following the little-known conservative’s lead on Sotomayor.
  • Chuck Grassley: He’ll take Sessions' job next term, but he’s not known as a judicial warrior. The confirmation process could change that.
  • Arlen Specter: Has a chance to make nice with women’s groups angered by his aggressive questioning of Anita Hill during Clarence Thomas’ confirmation hearing.
To see the complete list, click the link below.

(More Arlen Specter stories.)

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