Cornyn Throws Down the Gauntlet

Republicans have been telling me since Tuesday morning that Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) would have to come out swinging against President Obama’s selection of Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Allegedly, Cornyn was going to have to do some damage control with conservatives after endorsing Gov. Charlie Crist in the Florida Senate race over the more conservative Marco Rubio, who plans to challenge Crist in the primary.

It hasn’t turned out that way. Cornyn became the very first Republican to come out swinging against Rush Limbaugh instead. And former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.). Asked on National Public Radio if their comments about Sotomayor being racist were helpful to the GOP, Cornyn replied:

I think it’s terrible … this is not the kind of tone any of us want to set when it comes to performing our constitutional responsibilities of advise and consent … Neither of these men are elected Republican officials. I just don’t think it’s appropriate. I certainly don’t endorse it. I think it’s wrong.

I wonder if any of Cornyn’s colleagues have his back. Will any of the other Republican senators who have stayed quiet on Sotomayor, and do not plan to oppose her, step up to the plate and agree with him?

DID OBAMA CONSULT WITH OUR ALLIES ON HIS GITMO DEADLINE EITHER? THEY’RE IN NO RU.S.H TO TAKE THE DETAINEES … Ask A.B. returns Monday, June 1. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to askab@digital-stage.thehill.com. Thank you.