Opinion: Sotomayor hearings: Sen. Schumer’s introduction

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Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) is now introducing Sonia Sotomayor. He will be followed by New York’s other senator, Kirsten Gillibrand. Then Sotomayor will finally give her opening statement,

Schumer called the judge’s life ‘a great American story and a great New York story.’ (Sotomayor is from the Bronx.)

Schumer, who strongly lobbied the White House to nominate Sotomayor for the court, said the New York federal judge’s ‘life and her career is not about race or class or gender.’

‘Her story is about how race and class at the end of the day is not supposed to predetermine anything in America,’ Schumer said. ‘It’s exactly what each of us wants for ourselves and our children.’

‘She is modest and humble in her approach to judging,’ Schumer said. ‘This is a moment in which all Americans can take great pride.’

Expect Schumer to be in front of the cameras (not an unfamiliar place for him) taking the lead in strongly defending the nominee throughout the week.

-- James Oliphant

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