Obama's Weekly Address Focuses On Sotomayor's Nomination

The nomination of the first Latina to the highest court in the nation has been praised widely by Democrats and Independents, but has been scrutinized by many conservative Republicans who have accused the Bronx native as "racist."

"There are...some in Washington who are attempting to draw old battle lines and playing the usual political games, pulling a few comments out of context to paint a distorted picture of Judge Sotomayor’s record," said Obama in the video address that broadcasts on Saturdays. "...I am confident that these efforts will fail; because Judge Sotomayor’s seventeen-year record on the bench – hundreds of judicial decisions that every American can read for him or herself – speak far louder than any attack; her record makes clear that she is fair, unbiased, and dedicated to the rule of law."

Obama expressed hopes that Congress will start the confirmation process for Sotomayor as soon as next week and without the usual "political posturing and ideological brinksmanship that has bogged down this process, and Congress, in the past," said Obama.

Despite the divisive remarks by conservative Republicans against Obama's nominee, Latino-American organizations are confident that Sotomayor will receive bipartisan support during the confirmation process.

“The Supreme Court should reflect the diverse population of the United Sates to ensure that our nation’s highest court understands the unique circumstances of all Americans, stated LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes. “President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court brings an outstanding jurist with more experience than any Supreme Court nominee in one hundred years along with the experience of growing up in a low income Latino family.”

Click here for a full transcript of Obama's Weekly Address.

Article by Dolores M. Bernal, acejournalist@gmail.com