SUPREME CHOICE - AT 11:30 A.M. ET:  President Obama has named federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court created by the resignation of David Souter.  If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic-American to serve on the high court. 

Clearly, this is a choice with substantial political implications.  First, it's an almost certain confirmation.  The Republican Party is not going to oppose, to any substantial degree, this "first."  It would mean political death in the Hispanic community.  Second, the choice satisfies both Hispanic and women's groups, and solidifies the Democratic Party's hold on these constituencies. 

We haven't had a chance yet to examine the judge's full record. She is a liberal, but unlikely to alter the balance on the court, as Souter generally sided with liberals during his tenure.

May 26, 2009