Poll: Risky for GOP to oppose Sotomayor

Republicans will risk their standing with voters–especially Latino voters–if they attack Sonia Sotomayor too strongly, a new McClatchy-Ipsos poll finds.

37% of respondents (and 42% of Latinos) said they would think less of the GOP if Senate Republicans “overwhelmingly oppose” Sotomayor.

24% of respondents (and 20% of Latinos) said opposition would improve the image of the party.

But the survey also found that Republicans have an opportunity to define Sotomayor in the public’s view. If done more tactfully than in recent week, such a strategy could make opposition much easier.

To wit: 55% of Americans said they haven’t heard enough about Sotomayor to form an opinion of her. Nevertheless, 54% say she should be confirmed.

All in all, the poll does not give Senate Republicans any clearer a picture about how to take Sotomayor to task without coming off as obstructionists.