Sonia Sotomayor was only nominally appointed by GHW Bush.

[BzaDem]

She was appointed by GHW Bush to be a district judge, and then she was appointed by Clinton to be a court of appeals judge.

However, district (trial) judges do not have nearly the influence on broad legal matters as court of appeals judges. Because of this, Senators have a large influence over the appointments of district judges from their states (since their ideology doesn't matter as much to the President). She was recommended to GHW Bush by Democratic Senator Pat Moynihan.

So don't worry that Sotomayor will be conservative or centrist because she was first appointed by a Bush. :)

[jefferson_dem]

1. And her promotion by Clinton to the Court of Appeals was supported by 67-29.

October 2, 1998.

I'm wondering which Repugs who voted in support then are still serving. How can they possibly justify switching, if they are so inclined?

[phleshdef]

2. Its irrelevant. She is replacing a guy that was appointed by GHWB in the first place.

[Uzybone]

3. According to CNN, Moynihan recommended her to Bush snr.

• Sotomayor was first appointed to the federal bench in 1991 by a Republican President, George Bush, but it was a Democrat, Sen. Patrick Moynihan, who recommended her to Bush.

[Jennicut]

4. Thanks for the info. She seems pretty liberal to me.

[MADem]

5. The fact that she was appointed by Big Bush is a GOOD thing.

Come on--Big Bush was a pro-choice, New England Republican before Reagan forced him to "recant." And everyone knew (nudge wink) where his head was really at.

And Big Bush's endorsement, even at the minor league level, is a bit of INOCULATION for the candidate. It makes it harder for the GOP to go at her full bore.

[chimpymustgo]

6. Agreed. Seal of approval established. This is so moving to watch!

[BzaDem]

7. I agree.

Though since most of us are especially suspicious of anything Bush, it's good to know that Bush didn't pick her because of a similar ideology. :)