Opinion: Sotomayor hearings: An early outburst

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The first fireworks at the Sotomayor hearings came from the small gallery seated at the rear of Hart 216, not from any of the senators.

While Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was delivering her opening statement, a bearded man in a business suit cried out ‘What about the unborn, senator?’ He was quickly seized by Capitol police and yanked out of the hearing room, crying ‘Save the unborn Latinos!’

Sen. Patrick Leahy, the committee chairman, immediately issued a stern warning to the rest of the crowd, saying he would not tolerate any comments from the crowed, either for or against the nominee.

Feinstein continued without missing a beat, choosing to not even acknowledge the outburst.

--James Oliphant

For Twitter alerts on each new Ticket item, click here. Or follow us @latimestot

A pro-life protester is arrested during confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor before the Senate Judiciary Committee July 13, 2009 in Washington, DC.