Gibbs: Don't Worry About Sotomayor on Abortion

Past rulings unrelated to her pro-choice stance

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted May 29, 2009 8:09 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama nominated a candidate for Supreme Court with almost no record on abortion. Now, reports the Washington Post, he’s in the unexpected position of defending Sonia Sotomayor to his party’s pro-choice base. Spokesman Robert Gibbs went out of his way yesterday to suggest that Obama—who didn't specifically ask about abortion—is confident she agrees with the legal principles of Roe v. Wade. "He left very comfortable with her interpretation of the Constitution being similar to that of his.”

Sotomayor has ruled against the pro-choice position in a few cases tangential to abortion, but her rulings didn’t address the legality of abortion itself. Says a former employer, “I can guarantee she'll be for abortion rights.” Sen. Barbara Boxer, a top pro-choice advocate in the Senate, agrees. “I feel as comfortable as I could possibly feel.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

This undated handout photo provided by the White House shows Sonia Sotomayor in 2009. (AP Photo/White House)

President Obama didn't ask Judge Sotomayor specifically about her views on abortion. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

I would not appoint somebody who doesn't believe in the right to privacy. - President Obama, during the campaign

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Getty Images

White Grandfather Cuffed for Walking With Black Granddaughter (NewsOne)

Man in Mugshot Explains Why He Has Half a Head (HuffPost)

These Exes Were Spotted Making Out … and That's a Bad Thing (Bleacher Report)

Help! I'm Having an Incestuous Relationship With My Twin (Slate)

Proof that Twitter Users are Sexier Than Facebook Users? (GeekSugar)

Partner Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 3 of 4 comments

kokuaguy

May 30, 2009 7:59 AM CDT

Well, that was a very helpful comment, anchower-- I hope you won't object to some dry statistics and one observation. Since as many as 20-50% of conceptions end in "spontaneous abortion/miscarriage", that makes God the greatest child murderer of all. http://www.womenshealth.org/a/...

Robert_Dada

May 29, 2009 11:29 AM CDT

The Bible also says in 1 Timothy 2:12 "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." Do you believe that one too??

selva

May 29, 2009 3:01 AM CDT

Women should have the right to do whatever they want with their bodies. If you disagree than your mind is still being oppressed by this male dominated power structure, attempting to dictate what women are allowed to do, when it shouldnt even be a government issue.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds Major Cash Inside

Study Finds Arsenic in Baby Formula, Cereal Bars

Washington Post (Source Grid »)

The forgotten aspect of Sotomayor's personality: she's a New Yorker
National Review

Politics • Crime & Courts

abortion rights • Barbara Boxer • US Supreme Court • President Obama • Sonia Sotomayor

More Newser Stories

Hey, Lefties: This Supreme Court Should Scare You

Obama too timid on federal nominees, with big issues coming

(NEWSER) - With big issues working their way toward the Supreme Court on such vital issues as health care reform, same-sex marriage, affirmative action, and police stops of undocumented immigrants, liberals need to be on guard, writes longtime court-watcher Emily Bazelon for the New York Times . Sure, there are solid progressives, such as Obama appointees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. But frequent swing vote Anthony Kennedy, while he may side with liberals on occasion, has a voting record on par with Ronald Reagan. More»

Sotomayor Reminisces About Life-Changing Call

Says she burst into tears when Obama gave her the news

(NEWSER) - Sonia Sotomayor sat by the phone for 12 hours waiting for the call. When it finally rang, “I had my left hand over my chest, trying to calm my beating heart,” she recalls in an interview with C-SPAN. When President Obama offered her the Supreme Court appointment, “I caught my breath and started to cry and said, ‘Thank you, Mr. President.'” More»

With Race in Play, Obama's White Support Softens

Poll numbers plummeted amid Sotomayor, Gates controversies

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s downward opinion-poll trajectory among whites seems to be linked to the “blackening” of his image, writes Joan Walsh in Salon. It accelerated during two racially charged moments this summer: Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court, marked with debate over her “wise Latina” comment, and the Henry Louis Gates controversy. At such times, Walsh argues, “there's no denying, he got blacker to a segment of the white population.” More»

Obama: Sotomayor's Rise an 'Inspiration for Generations'

White House holds reception for new justice

(AP) - President Obama today celebrated the rise of Sonia Sotomayor to become the Supreme Court's newest member and first Hispanic, hailing her story and achievement as an inspiration for generations. "When Justice Sotomayor put her hand on that Bible and took that oath ... we came yet another step to the more perfect union that we all seek," Obama told a White House reception for Sotomayor. More»

Sotomayor Oath to Be Televised

Republicans feel they have dealt a blow to judicial empathy

(NEWSER) - Sonia Sotomayor will be sworn in to the Supreme Court on national television tomorrow morning, marking the first time the judicial oath administration has been broadcast, the Washington Post reports. The ceremony will take place at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, following the practice of Samuel Alito, who broke a tradition of taking the oaths at the White House. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Gibbs: Don't Worry About Sotomayor on Abortion