Breaking news: Sotomayer will be nominated to US Supremes

President Barack Obama tapped federal appeals judgeSonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court on Tuesday, officials said,making her the first Hispanic in history picked to wear the robes of ajustice.  If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor, 54, wouldsucceed retiring Justice David Souter. Two officials described Obama’sdecision on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement hadbeen made.  Administration officials say Sotomayor, with 17 yearson the bench, would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Courtthan any justice confirmed in the past 70 years.  A formal announcement was expected at midmorning.  Obamahad said publicly he wanted a justice who combined intellect andempathy — the ability to understand the troubles of everyday Americans.

WhileRepublican critics chafed at that, Democrats hold a large majority inthe Senate, and barring the unexpected, Sotomayor’s confirmation shouldbe assured. If approved, she would join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asthe second woman on the current court.  In one of Sotomayor’smost notable decisions, as an appellate judge she sided last year withthe city of New Haven, Conn., in a discrimination case brought by whitefirefighters. The city threw out results of a promotion exam becausetoo few minorities scored high enough. Ironically, that case is nowbefore the Supreme Court.

Source:  AP/Comcast, http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090523/US.Obama.Supreme.Court/