Opinion: Ticket Replay: Joe Biden whispers to Sonia Sotomayor: ‘Piece of cake!’ Was Obama scowling?

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As the holidays unfold, The Ticket’s thoughts turn to some time off. So we’re re-publishing some of our favorite or most-read items from 2009. This item originally appeared on May 26..
The scene: East Room of the White House.

The set-up: federal appellate judge Sonia Sotomayor accepting President Obama‘s nomination to be his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Priceless: Vice President Joe Biden whispering in her ear.

‘I told you -- piece of cake!’ he said in one whisper. ‘You did wonderful.’

With friends and family on hand for the momentous occasion, Sotomayor got a standing ovation as she stepped to the podium to accept the nomination. Biden leaned in to whisper, “I think they like you.”

But was it also Biden who advised her not to be nervous? In her opening, Sotomayor said:

“I was just counseled not to be nervous; that’s almost impossible.’

Maybe Biden was just trying to make the 54-year-old judge relax.

Or maybe he just can’t help himself.

Also, was that a scowl on Obama’s face as Biden did his whisper offensive, or was he just pursing his lips?

--Johanna Neuman

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