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19 Best Moments from Sonia's Hearing

The Second Audience Outburst

An anti-abortion protester again interrupted the second day of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s hearing during a question from Sen. Chuck Grassley. After the protester was removed, Sen. Grassley joked, "People always say I have the ability to turn people on."

Feingold Lawyers Up on Sotomayor

Sen. Russ Feingold complimented the judge's manner and knowledge of the law, saying he hoped she would consider the possibility that others would want to watch her from the comfort of their own homes, and to keep that in mind when deliberating on whether cameras should be allowed in the court room. "You were a very good lawyer, weren't you, Senator?" she jokingly responded.

Guns: An Open Question

Ah, gun control. What lengthy political discussion would be complete without deciding whether farmers in Minnesota have the right to buy an Uzi?

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July 13, 2009 | 7:27pm
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AlwaysOptimistic

Honestly, since they started televising these hearings they have become a "dog and pony" show for the politicians to pander to their constituents back home. I just can't help but wonder if these long winded questions went on before the television age?

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7:59 pm, Jul 13, 2009

Carole65

I have always wondered that myself. I didn't watch them today because I can't stand the senators' long winded stump speeches. They need to stop talking and start doing.

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9:25 pm, Jul 13, 2009

cbl99201

Thank goodness Biden was promoted and not available to offer his brief remarks ;>).

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8:31 am, Jul 14, 2009

gandolf

great observation.

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2:14 pm, Jul 15, 2009

co-intheknow

Because Sessions, Graham and Kyl will never be promoted because of their short-comings, will you wish that they stop the BS questioning? A la John Roberts when he was asked by one of them if "asked the same question, would he answer it differently".

C'mon - it's a damn racist showcase for a bunch of these crazy crackers that'll never get a chance to get their digs in again against someone who is not 'not white and not male' - in other regard, NOT IN THEIR CLUB.

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11:30 pm, Jul 15, 2009

pencequince

The Daily Beast gets it right! I am one New Yorker who is immensely proud of our "spirited junior senator" - she's smart, funny, hard-working, and knows how to get things done. She's got a great future.

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8:22 pm, Jul 13, 2009

fran20

So much hype, so little time. It's funny to see someone like Leahy, who can go on and on and on, complaining about a young woman. His patronizing sigh says it all, but Gillibrand handled it was grace and charm. Sotomayor, despite all the spin to paint her as a radical jurist, will be approved and serve the court with excellence.

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8:35 pm, Jul 13, 2009

whipmawhopma

When I read about Gillibrand and see her on television I wonder if she will be the next female VP candidate.

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10:24 pm, Jul 13, 2009

S-von-K

The next president will be a democrat and a woman......2016...Amy Klobuchar...

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9:57 pm, Jul 15, 2009

TruthandConsequences

I watched that live, and it's not fair to rip Leahy when Gillibrand went into more minutiae than necessary. She would have launched into Sotomayor's grade school report cards if she'd gone on as long as she seemed inclined to.

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10:39 am, Jul 14, 2009

morris1030

Gillibrand was running for her shot at her senatorial seat.

This was her chance to get as much TV time as possible.

LOL.

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8:43 pm, Jul 15, 2009

S-von-K

As for women Presidential Contenders.....I like Amy Klobuchar a lot! I think she's got what it takes.....Hillary will be 68 in 2016......

SvK

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9:54 pm, Jul 15, 2009

TruthandConsequences

The knee-jerk coverage of these hearings is always the same, cynical snarkiness posing as insight. Why should we be in such a rush? We're merely considering the appointment of someone for life to a post of great power and authority. It's not how long a senator takes but how meaningful what they say is. Let them take as long as they need as long as they are saying something valuable that articulates positions and/or enhances the debate. Our sound-bite, short-attention-span culture has stripped many people of the ability to understand that some things deserve patience and time.

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10:34 am, Jul 14, 2009

This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.

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11:07 am, Jul 14, 2009

This user is no longer registered.

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5:38 pm, Jul 15, 2009

tblunt

I disagree, Franken's a bright guy, Harvard graduate etc...He's also been to Iraq twice to entertain our troops, so he's a real patriot...But he is sort of like the left's Sarah Palin in that the right just doesn't like him and never will.

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6:35 pm, Jul 15, 2009

This user is no longer registered.

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10:30 pm, Jul 15, 2009

morris1030

This side show goes on endlessly and absurdly as TV is the reward to the gasbag senators who want as much TV time as possible. They preen,parry,and repeat themselves endlessly as senatorial divas in a congressional sitcom.

TV should be removed and the issue of Q&A to any candidates re: cofirmation would be far faster and we would all be better for it. These jerks love the sound of their own voices, and to hell with the money it's costing the taxpayers.

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8:41 pm, Jul 15, 2009

blueskies

When Lindsey Graham says complete meltdown, can we assume he means Sanford style?

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9:51 pm, Jul 15, 2009

This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.

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11:54 am, Jul 16, 2009

kevins90sc

S-Von-K WOW i thought it would be hillary in 2016 BUT i had no idea that she would be 68 then,lets see how her health and standing in the political world is then i think she will be the next vice president in 2012 bidden may step off however i will keep up with the honorable senator from min. this is thought provoking. Thank You Kevin

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12:54 pm, Jul 16, 2009
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19 Best Moments from Sonia's Hearing

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