Parting Shot

I was in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday when President Obama announced his choice to replace Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court.

She is Judge Sonia Sotomayor, whom the president called an “inspiring woman” who proves that “no dream is beyond the reach of any American.”

First, and most importantly, she is eminently qualified for the Supreme Court. She was both a district attorney and corporate litigator. She was named to the federal bench by the first President Bush, and elevated to the Appeals Court by President Clinton. She’s already been confirmed by the Senate twice.

On top of those exceptional judicial qualifications, Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic on the court. And she has a great life story: growing up in a public housing project in the Bronx, raised by a single mom and working her way to top of her class at Princeton, first in her class at Yale Law School, and now the Supreme Court of the United States.

Sonia Sotomayor. An experienced lawyer and judge. Only the third woman on the court. And the first Latina. What an inspired choice by President Obama.

If Republicans were smart, they wouldn’t even try to block her confirmation. But, of course, they’re not smart. So they’ll try, and lose — even further alienating women and minorities in the process. You just can’t stop Republicans from committing political suicide.

Visit Mr. Press’s website at billpressshow.com.