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The Scouting Report: Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor
 
12:18
Fred Barbash - moderator -  We're getting ready to start the chat - please stay tuned.
12:30
Fred Barbash-Moderator -  Welcome all. Our guest today is Russell Wheeler. Our topic is the Sotomayor nomination.

Russell Wheeler studies the selection of U.S. judges and how courts function with other branches of government and the press, among other judicial topics. He is a former deputy director of the Federal Judicial Center, research and education agency for the federal court system.

Welcome Russell. Let's get going with some reader questions.

12:30
[Comment From Jason]
What do you think about the timing of Sotomayor’s potential confirmation?
12:32
Russell Wheeler -  Obviously, it would be best for the Court, and for her, if she were confirmed before September, when the Court gears up for its October term. And this, year, the Court held over an important campaign finance case, which it will hear argued on September 9, before the term begins. There is some talk by the Republicans about delaying the hearing, but I don't see how that helps them,.
12:32
[Comment From Laurie]
How likely is it that Judge Sotomayor will be confirmed?
12:33
Russell Wheeler -  The conventional wisdom is that, barring some blockbuster skeleton in the closet, confirmation is almost certain. It's less a matter of whether than of when.
12:34
[Comment From Jason]
Can these hearings actually make a difference?
12:35
Russell Wheeler -  In Sotomayor's case, given the strong Democratic majority and the general consensus that confirmation is almost certain, not much. The only chance they might matter greatly is if she makes some major mistake, not likely. The hearingts make a difference when the nomination is already in some trouble, as for example, in Robert Bork's case.
12:35
[Comment From dave]
how does sotomayor's experience measure up to her future colleagues on the Supreme Court?
12:37
Russell Wheeler -  For the first time since the 1950s, we have a nominee who served as a district as well as a court of appeals judge. She's had varied experience, as a prosecutor and in private practice, somewhat broader, at least different, than some other members of the Court. But she does come to the Court from the court of appeals, like all her would-be colleagues. Look for a different pool if Obama gets another vacancy.
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