Republicans Deride Sotomayor Testimony as 'Confirmation Conversion'

Republicans and Democrats focused their questions on different aspects of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's record during the second day of her Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing Tuesday.

Senate Republicans were quick to label as a "confirmation conversion" Sotomayor's repeated pledge to follow the law and not allow personal biases to influence her unduly.

Republicans leveled the charge in one of several emails sent to reporters during the hearing, saying Sotomayor's testimony is at odds with her record.

The committee's Republicans also branded Sotomayor's testimony related to gun ownership rights as a "confirmation conversion."

Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., famously employed the same phrase during the 1987 confirmation hearing for failed nominee Robert H. Bork.

But so far, Republicans have been unable to throw Sotomayor off-balance and extract any testimony that would damage her prospects. Before the committee recessed for lunch, Sotomayor fielded questions from both sides in a calm and measured tone with no substantial missteps. She took notes as senators delivered their questions.

Jeff SessionsJeff Sessions, the committee's ranking Republican, said that, Sotomayor's testimony not withstanding, she showed she allowed her background to influence her decision-making in at least seven speeches.

''I'm very troubled," Sessions said, adding that his review of her speeches revealed repeatedly that she may be unable to put aside personal experiences and biases to ensure that anyone who comes before her as a judge "gets a fair day in court."

By contrast, Democrats concentrated on Sotomayor's resume as a prosecutor and federal judge.

"Its one thing to talk about speeches you might give," Leahy said. "I'm more interested in cases you might decide."

Democrats are conducting a coordinated defense of Sotomayor as the hearing unfolds.

Leahy has introduced evidence into the record to rebut points made by Republicans during their questioning. For example, he submitted for the record the American Bar Association's rating of her as "well-qualified," its highest rating.

Many Democratic senators also began their own questioning with pointed rebuttals of their Republican colleagues.

"If there's a test for judicial temperament you pass it with an A plus plus," California Democrat Dianne FeinsteinDianne Feinstein said in one such exchange.

Feinstein praised Sotomayor for steadily enduring the questions, saying " You have just sat there very quietly and responded to questions that in their very nature are quite provocative."