Obama Praises Sotomayor, Senate for Tearing Down Barriers
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Appearing for the first time with his newly sworn-in Supreme Court Justice President Obama praised the US Senate for their “overwhelming vote,” to “look beyond the old divisions” by voting Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Member of the Supreme Court, to the bench. “We celebrate how, with their overwhelming vote to confirm Justice Sotomayor, the United States Senate, Republicans and Democrats, tore down yet one more barrier and affirmed our belief that in America the doors of opportunity must be open to all. With that vote, the Senate looked beyond the old divisions and they embraced excellence.” The President said that when Sotomayor was formally sworn in this past Saturday the country “came yet another step to a more perfect union that we all seek.” In an East Room reception at the White House, with Sotomayor’s family seated in the front row, President Obama heralded Justice Sotomayor’s life story and rise from humble beginnings. “Her life is one of those only-in-America stories: raised by a single mom in the South Bronx determined to give her every opportunity to succeed, propelled by the talent and hard work that would earn her scholarships and honors at the best schools in the country; driven always by the belief that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you look like or what challenges life throws your way, no dream is beyond reach in the United States of America.” Obama took a moment to single out her Sotomayor’s mother, and First Lady Michelle Obama led the crowd in a standing ovation, to the woman that the President said “in so many ways truly made this day possible.” Two other Supreme Court Justices, Stevens and Ginsberg were among the nearly 200 in the audience. “I know you’ll be giving Justice Sotomayor some good tips,” Obama joked of their newest colleague. An emotional Sotomayor thanked the President, and the Judiciary Committee for the “trust” that they have placed in her. “I am most grateful to this country. I stand here today knowing that my confirmation as an associate justice of the Supreme Court would never have been possible without the opportunities presented to me by this nation,” Sotomayor said, “It is this nation’s faith in a more perfect union that allows a Puerto Rican girl from the Bronx to stand here now.” -Sunlen Miller
Santorum Clarifies Concerns on Women in Combat 
Gulf of Mexico to Become Gulf of America?
Tearing down barriers or enacting new barriers???
Posted by: Parallex View | August 12, 2009, 11:38 am 11:38 am
What barriers? The ones against Tea Party Americans or Un-Americans or Mob Americans or Non Socialist Americans or NOBAMA CARE AMERICANS?
Posted by: American Infidel | August 12, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am
And Obama especially wants to thank her for securing the wise Latina vote.
Posted by: larry | August 12, 2009, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
I still have reservations about the number of Catholics on the court, and the potential for religious influence in government.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | August 12, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
I don’t think she is fit enough for Obama Heath Care……..”Over 50 and over weight”.
Has she signed her “Care Treatment” papers yet and did she read the small print?
Posted by: American Infidel | August 12, 2009, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
“the first Hispanic Member of the Supreme Court”
FALSE.
Benjamin Cardozo, of Portuguese descent, was appointed by Pres. Hoover in 1932.
Posted by: Inconvenient Truth | August 12, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
why does the president keep bringing race into the picture. The only barrier is the one the president creates.
Posted by: Jack | August 12, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
Obama said we need to open the doors of opportunity for everyone. That apparently means open the door wider for the increasing # of biased people who think not of the whole nation but of their particular race or background. Several of us have had worse hardships than Sotomayor has had. Any case that comes before her that involves a Hispanic and a non-Hispanic I expect no fair trial but only sympathies for the Hispanic. She does not seem to see past that. All people have complications in life and justice is not done by race but by seeing the actions as they truly are. Obama now scares me with the things he is pushing. Items are not spelled out but he will tax and punish the hard working Americans to benefit only certain people. I have not felt so economically unstable as I have the last few months.
Posted by: GHS4u | August 12, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
I just watched the press briefing with Robert Gibbs. The idiot Tapper and Bill Hemmer were so busy playing gotcha as media matters put it with AARP’s support of a healthcare reform bill, these 2 idiots were caught up in whether Obama’s claims that they support a specific bill, which is not what Obama said. It’s nice that you “reporters” are now more interested in more in depth issues but, it’s too bad that this isnt’ one of them. Perhaps the Iraq war, weapons of mass destruction claim could have been handled by the 2 stooges in that same way. Poor Jake. Still just a lowely reporter for abc while David Gregory hosts Meet the Press. Journalism died the same day Walter Cronkite did. Be very afraid of the blogs because they’re working circles around you and that idiot from faux news Major Garrett. You guys really suck. And you’re jealous of Nico Pitney. I don’t blame you! Enjoy last place ABC. It suits you!
Posted by: roxsteady | August 12, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
RyanC……..and everyone else is watching the President and his henchmen and “THEY” will too pay at the ballot box!
That is if ACORN/AMERICORPS don’t stuff it with dead, fictional and illegal votes!!
Posted by: American Infidel | August 12, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
I don’t remember so much of a fuss
being made when George W Bush
appointed Colin Powell our first
African-American Secretary of State.
I do remember how Alberto Gonzalez
was hounded and harassed by Democrats
in Congress when he was Attorney General!
I do remember how almost all of the
Democrats in the Senate opposed
Samuel Alito’s nomination to the
Supreme Court!
I guess they Belong to the Wrong
Party to Matter!
Posted by: reaganfan | August 12, 2009, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
“I don’t remember so much of a fuss
being made when George W Bush
appointed Colin Powell our first
African-American Secretary of State.”
Well right wingers do suffer political amnesia and forget history when convenient.
Colin Powell appointment as Sec of State and Rice’s appointment as NSA were big deals.
“I do remember how Alberto Gonzalez
was hounded and harassed by Democrats
in Congress when he was Attorney General!”
Considering how badly he trampled on the Constitution and how nakedly partisan he was in running the DOJ perhaps they should have fought harder.
“I do remember how almost all of the
Democrats in the Senate opposed
Samuel Alito’s nomination to the
Supreme Court!”
Look he got something right!
Posted by: Ryan C | August 12, 2009, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
“Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | Aug 12, 2009 2:33:18 PM”
Awww Fred Thompson is upset the head lunatic is getting some heat.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 12, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Omentem – I always know when I am on target, when a person like you starts with the personal attacks.
Posted by: Reflect09 | August 12, 2009, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Omentem – I always know when I am on target, when a person like you starts with the personal attacks.
Posted by: Reflect09 | Aug 12, 2009 2:47:55 PM
==================
Sorry if I offended you. But since you want us to “see where you going with this”
Please tell us where are you going. I don’t get the connection in any of what you stated.
As Palin said “quit making things up”
Posted by: Omentum | August 12, 2009, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
Just what we needed a left leaning racially motivated supreme court justice.
Posted by: Bob | August 12, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
I missed the barriers.
Posted by: Plumber | August 12, 2009, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
No one gives a rats patootie whether or not she is “Latina” or a woman,… is she qualified?
Mr. Obama and the press on the other hand, by focusing on her gender and race suggest those are the only qualifications necessary. If so the next chief justice should be my wife, she’s always right.
Posted by: brnusa | August 12, 2009, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
You want facts….Okay come back to the fray.
Fact: Yesterdays Town Hall in N.H. was Canned….Staged!
Fact: AARP never backed his plan for social medicine!
Fact: No way in hell this plan will save 1 single penny…ever!!
Fact: The little girl who asked the question about “all the mean signs” was at the WH for the Easter Egg Hunt and mommy is a friend of the Bamster!
Fact: Everybody will have their taxes go through the roof paying for this elephant!
Fact: Barry is for Single Payer System. He said so in 2003 and again in 2007!
you want more?
Posted by: American Infidel | August 12, 2009, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
“Fact: The little girl who asked the question about “all the mean signs” was at the WH for the Easter Egg Hunt and mommy is a friend of the Bamster!”
That question really embarrassed the right wing.
So she is being attacked.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 12, 2009, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
“Fact: The little girl who asked the question about “all the mean signs” was at the WH for the Easter Egg Hunt and mommy is a friend of the Bamster!”
That question really embarrassed the right wing.
So she is being attacked.
Posted by: Ryan C | Aug 12, 2009 3:24:34 PM
=======================================
Ryan? Where are youre reponses to the rest of the fact checks the poster listed? Come on, I am sure the Daily KOS as an AWESOME response that makes no sense what-so-ever!
Fact: Yesterdays Town Hall in N.H. was Canned….Staged!
Fact: AARP never backed his plan for social medicine!
Fact: No way in hell this plan will save 1 single penny…ever!!
Fact: The little girl who asked the question about “all the mean signs” was at the WH for the Easter Egg Hunt and mommy is a friend of the Bamster!
Fact: Everybody will have their taxes go through the roof paying for this elephant!
Fact: Barry is for Single Payer System. He said so in 2003 and again in 2007!
you want more?
Posted by: KMDay | August 12, 2009, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Sotomayor is a disappointment. If she rises to the level of mediocrity it will be a surprise. She may look the part but she is not ready nor is she intelligent enough, kinda like her boss.
Posted by: Skittles | August 12, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
don’t remember so much of a fuss
being made when George W Bush
appointed Colin Powell our first
African-American Secretary of State.
I do remember how Alberto Gonzalez
was hounded and harassed by Democrats
in Congress when he was Attorney General!
I do remember how almost all of the
Democrats in the Senate opposed
Samuel Alito’s nomination to the
Supreme Court!
I guess they Belong to the Wrong
Party to Matter!
Posted by: reaganfan | Aug 12, 2009 2:14:16 PM
========================================
It is only racism when those who disagree with democrats plans and policies do it, it is only unAmerican when those who oppose Democrats plans and policies, it is only Astro Turf and Nazi”ism” when those who oppose the Democrats do it!
Do you see the double standard and hypocrisy?
They can talk bad about, protest against, make nazi signs about Powell, Rice, Alito, Gonzales, etc..etc..etc.. and they are merely disagreeing or showing their “dissent” but heaven forbid you do the same against them, then you are a racist, unAmerican, Nazi, etc..etc..etc…
Posted by: KMDay | August 12, 2009, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
No one is attacking the little girl.
Obama looks foolish and incompetant calling on such obvious plants.
These are not Town Halls, they are Greenhouse Gases.
Posted by: Blue Skies | August 12, 2009, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
The congress could have taken down barriers with Miguel Estrada. It elected not to do so because, although he was a much more highly qualified and brilliant candidate than the oafish Sotomayor, they were politically afraid of him.
Posted by: Fructuoso Solano-Revuelta | August 12, 2009, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
Remember how, just a few short months ago, a term like “Omentum” would aptly sum up the formidable momentum that Obama had when entering his presidency? How glorious those days must seem to his ever-dwindling band of supporters, as more and more of the electorate come to distrust and despise him every day.
He is already a failure, and things will get much worse for him.
Posted by: Fructuoso Solano-Revuelta | August 12, 2009, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
This President has made great strides in a very short length of time. There will always be naysayers especially from the small crowd of zealots who post here each day to spread their contempt, their distortions and their fear tactics.
Posted by: davedillon | August 12, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
This President has made great strides in a very short length of time. There will always be naysayers especially from the small crowd of zealots who post here each day to spread their contempt, their distortions and their fear tactics.
Posted by: davedillon | Aug 12, 2009 5:05:13 PM
=======================================
What great strides has he made?
he is keeping this country more racially divided, especially after the comment he made about the Gates incident.
He has zero economic intelligence to save his own rear-remember, As the late Adrian Rogers said, “you cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”
Foreign Relations? Apologizing for everything, pissing off our allies and trying to make friends with rogue dictators….LOL, okay! Another cup of tea please.
War tactics? Right, shall we start counting how many men and women have been killed in Afghanistan since he has taken office? Why are not out of the wars?
Gittmo? Sure, move the terrorist to the US because that make so much sense!
Please, what has he does that is so spectacular?
Posted by: KMDay | August 12, 2009, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
KMDay . . .
Most people in the United States are not concerned with the skewed views, ‘facts’ and attacks of zealots.
You have your pre-judged point of view – you had it before the election, you have it now. This is not a surprise.
We have simply watched contempt turn into contempt and bitterness. Fortunately democracy will carry on.
Posted by: davedillon | August 12, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
“The congress could have taken down barriers with Miguel Estrada”
What barrier? The barrier of having bench experience?
Miguel Estrada had ZERO bench experience when Bush wanted to appoint him to one of the most powerful Appeals Courts in the country.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 12, 2009, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
“As the late Adrian Rogers said, “you cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”
What a shock that a right winger cites a mega church televangelist for his economic wisdom.
The right wing stupid…it burns.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 12, 2009, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
The only thing diffferent about racism from the democrat side of things is that they call it diversity.
Posted by: American1 | August 13, 2009, 2:28 am 2:28 am
Its great that sotomayor got confirmed she is well qualified and it proves that republicans look at the qualifications and not the ideology…so when is the president and his partisan bandits going to stop dividing people along race, age economic means…his perfect union is different than mine he doesn’t want equality but superiority where all white people are subservant to minorities…thats why he demonizes them..so he is president representing maybe 40%of the population …the rest can go to hell
Posted by: phillysmart | August 13, 2009, 11:59 am 11:59 am
In thinking about it…both Obama and Sotomayor are perfect example of the greatness of the USA and our system..where else can people overcome socio economic and racial bariers to become two very powerful people…only in America…so why do they keep advocating that the current system which has ensured their success be changed…because they have been brainwashed and programmed from a left wing ideologues who fill our education system…resist the socialist ask questions
Posted by: phillysmart | August 13, 2009, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
“The congress could have taken down barriers with Miguel Estrada. It elected not to do so because, although he was a much more highly qualified and brilliant candidate than the oafish Sotomayor,”
Miguel Estrada had ZERO bench experience when he was appointed.
Sotomayor laughs at his qualifications.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 13, 2009, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm