I definitely agree with that, in my opinion all of this about Sotomayor is ridiculous. It has really turned into an "election," instead if a "nomination," which is what it should be. The reason for all of this, is because the democratic government does anything and everything our president says, and doesn't put into account what will be best. Until republicans have control again we will always deal with these problems. Not to say that republicans don't cause similar problems, but, since republicans are for smaller government, we wouldn't have to deal with all of this social health care (RIDICULOUS), or these trillions of dollars put forth to fix this economy, I mean really, who in their right mind would think that giving money that we don't have to fix our debt would work, listen to that, that's crazy!

The GOP may have put Obama on notice for his second pick for the Supreme Court, whenever that comes, but they will have to be careful how they actually act and what they say when that comes around or they will look like a bunch of naysayers, a role that has appeared easy to them in the past.

I don't think a judge can say in confirmation hearings how exactly they would vote on a certain issue – issues that come before the court and that are heard are very specific with their own specific details. The issue may be like another issue for which there is precedence but in the details it may vary enough to where an altogether different ruling makes sense. You cannot predict that in a confirmation hearing and we don't need to put a prospective jurist on the spot by making them say which way they would decide – they need to be able to decide based on the case's merits and not according to what they said in their confirmation hearings.

Gloria, your piece articulates two extremely salient points; first, you rightfully mention that the Supreme Court nomination process, like running for President, is like a job interview without any hint of what the applicant would do on the job.

Secondly, you mention that Judge Sotomayor claims she "wouldn't approach the issue of judging in the way the President does."

It's starting to feel that President Obama is merely a great campaigner and someone a Supreme Court nominee wouldn't even follow.

I believe Colin Powell is the answer with regards to filling the leadership vacuum the Republicans have. Indeed he was set up when it came to his presentation in front of the UN over weapons of mass destruction.

Annie Kate: You keep saying "Republicans have to be careful about how they act and what they say." Why? Dems treated women with so much disrespect during the campaign trail starting with the treatment of SOTUS HRC, but that sure didn't stop Obama from getting elected. Why do you suppose that was? Why does it seem like there is two sets of standards for these two parties? And with the amount of debt we already have, I would hope someone from either party, I don't really care who has enough common sense to say "Wait we can't rush into this, we need to really think this thing through, before we jump the gun here." Anyone who would have the brains to do that is exactly the type of person I would like to represent me.