Cohen: Ricci decision may not damage Sotomayor

The Supreme Court overturned the decision in Ricci v. DeStefano, ruling that the New Haven, CT unfairly denied white firefighters promotion. As an appeals court judge, President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor supported the original edict.

Today’s ruling indicates that Sotomayor may face a tougher confirmation hearing than many originally expected. But CBS legal correspondent Andrew Cohen thinks differently:

Suspect Sotomayor and White House are relieved that Ricci case was 5-4 split along ideological lines. Makes her easier to defend next month

We’ll have to wait and see how the vote count will play in favor of Judge Sotomayor. Nonetheless, today’s decision presents a new wrinkle in her quest to be seated on the high court.