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Sotomayor: Good Judge, Crappy Writer

Dry, plodding opinions could make her left's Clarence Thomas

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2009 12:04 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sonia Sotomayor obviously has her talents, but “writing isn’t one of them,” writes Stephanie Mencimer in Mother Jones. “Sotomayor’s opinions read like she’s still following a formula she learned in college.” Whereas someone like Antonin Scalia wows with his airy and convincing prose, reading a Sotomayor opinion “might be good punishment for law students who show up late for class.”

It’s tempting to dismiss such a shortcoming, but it’s a big deal. “The court’s influence and lasting legacy is what it commits to paper,” Mencimer argues. Good writers are quoted through the ages, bad ones lost to history. Without strong writing skills, Sotomayor risks being as irrelevant as Clarence Thomas. “After all, who quotes Thomas in term papers? His most significant influence on the court is getting the conservatives to five votes.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor meets with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., not pictured, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor smiles during her meeting with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, not pictured, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Obama's Supreme Court pick has lots of talents. Writing isn't one of them. - Stephanie Mencimer

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

RobN

Jun 9, 2009 11:03 AM CDT

The Republicans have already stated that there will be no filibuster. They said there will be a couple of days of hard questions and then a vote. I'm sure you don't begrudge them the same right to question that the Dems just had when the Alito and Roberts nominations came up?

RobN

Jun 9, 2009 11:00 AM CDT

She didn't say that she believes that she can make good decisions. She said that she will make "better" decisions. As Obama likes to say, words count. If you're going to defend her, at least quote her properly and defend that, not something you've made up.

riffran

Jun 5, 2009 12:21 PM CDT

I like that 60 % overturn ratio...promotional bell ringer

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Antonin Scalia • writing • Clarence Thomas • US Supreme Court • Sonia Sotomayor

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Sotomayor: Good Judge, Crappy Writer