Opinion: Sotomayor hearings: Playing softball

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As expected, Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee have been pitching softball questions to Sonia Sotomayor. (The committee seems unable to conduct proceedings without invoking baseball metaphors, so the Ticket will follow its lead.)

The first big softball of the day came from Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), who asked her her view on public service.

Sotomayor said if you look at her speeches, public service and pro bono work are the main topics she addresses, whether speaking to students, new citizens or community groups. She added that public involvement doesn’t have to be political. She encouraged Americans to get involved somehow, perhaps in their churches and communities.

Public service, she said, “is a core responsibility” for lawyers. Democrats outnumber Republicans on the panel 12 to 7. There’s only one Republican left to quiz Sotomayor, so expect more softballs -- at least as the first round of questioning continues.

-- Steve Padilla

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