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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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8

How Will the New Kid Affect Court?

Spunky Sotomayor begins new term on staid Supreme Court

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(AP) – David Souter never danced the salsa in public. John Paul Stevens doesn't sing in karaoke bars. And John Roberts hasn't thrown out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. But Sonia Sotomayor is all that and a bag of chips, and while the Supreme Court is all about the law, personalities matter. As the court begins its new term tomorrow, the justices will be dealing with a wild card: how Sotomayor and her effervescence may change things.

"It's like when you were little and a new kid joined the class," says a law professor. "There was always a little air of excitement because you didn't know how it would change the dynamic." Expected to side with the court's liberal bloc, Sotomayor is unlikely to affect the outcome in two high-profile cases: a challenge to limits on corporate campaign donations and a lawsuit seeking to nix Chicago's handgun ban. But Sotomayor will be watched closely to see whether her past as a prosecutor makes her more sympathetic to law enforcement in criminal cases.

Seated, from left: Anthony Kennedy, John Paul Stevens, John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, and Clarence Thomas. Standing, from left: Samuel Alito, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor.
Seated, from left: Anthony Kennedy, John Paul Stevens, John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, and Clarence Thomas. Standing, from left: Samuel Alito, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor.   (Charles Dharapak)
In this Sept. 29, 2009 file photo, the newest Supreme Court member, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, poses with her colleagues at the Supreme Court in Washington.
In this Sept. 29, 2009 file photo, the newest Supreme Court member, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, poses with her colleagues at the Supreme Court in Washington.   (Charles Dharapak)
Retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who was replaced by Sonia Sotomayor, wasn't exactly known for singing in karaoke bars.
Retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who was replaced by Sonia Sotomayor, wasn't exactly known for singing in karaoke bars.   (Jim Cole)
With the addition of the Supreme Court's newest member, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, center, the high court sits for a group photograph, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.
With the addition of the Supreme Court's newest member, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, center, the high court sits for a group photograph, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is escorted out on the field by New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada to throw out the first pitch before the New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is escorted out on the field by New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada to throw out the first pitch before the New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox on Saturday,...   (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
One never knows, but Antonin Scalia probably isn't too likely to be seen hobnobbing with Marc Antony and J.Lo.
One never knows, but Antonin Scalia probably isn't too likely to be seen hobnobbing with Marc Antony and J.Lo.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
And here she is with Ricky Martin, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Washington.
And here she is with Ricky Martin, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Washington.   (AP Photo/RM Entertainment Group)
Justice Sonia Sotomayor's official portrait.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor's official portrait.   (AP Photo/Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States, Steve Petteway)
What impact might spunky Sonia Sotomayor have on John Roberts' Supreme Court?
What impact might spunky Sonia Sotomayor have on John Roberts' Supreme Court?   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Supreme Court's newest member Sonia Sotomayor, reacts to well wishers outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, following her investiture ceremony.
The Supreme Court's newest member Sonia Sotomayor, reacts to well wishers outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, following her investiture ceremony.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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It's a new court. When I was trying jury cases, if a juror had to be replaced because one was ill or something ... it's just a different dynamic. It was a different jury. And it's the same way here. This will be a very different court.
- Justice Anthony Kennedy

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8 comments
VIEWING:
 
MarkMcJackoff
Oct 4, 09 11:18 AM CDT
Oh Dear! Another lefty lightweight appointee but that kinda figures. She was, after all spotted (?) by Clinton years ago and has been waiting patiently in the wings for somethinl like this. She seems to tick all the right boxes but is apparently, very egotistical, nor too smart, but does have a very big ass. Reply
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-10
IN RESPONSE:
Shannonals
Oct 4, 09 11:43 AM CDT
It amazes me that people make ignorant comments about people they have no knowledge of whatsoever. How about commenting on the actual article itself versus making idioitic comments about the size of a woman's buttocks, or is that what conservatives are taught growing up?
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
schmidtkoff
Oct 4, 09 12:00 PM CDT
i think she appears to be a breath of fresh air to the stodgy supreme court. i like her and i'm confident that she will provide balanced and thoughtful opinions on cases brought before the court. Reply
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+2
MarkFL
Oct 4, 09 1:52 PM CDT
Mark McJ, your impression of Sotomayor reminds me of your presence here in the newser discussion board. Lightweight, egotistical, not too smart, waiting in the wings for a chance to comment and all you can think of is this totally ridiculous gibberish. Nicely done you Supreme Douchebag. Reply
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
MarkMcJackoff
Oct 4, 09 2:43 PM CDT
Thanks fer the support Mark m'boy, I shall wear it gratefully. Not just my impression of the Hispanic arriviste, she leaves a smell of cronyism and poor judgement in her wake according to most even minded observers. Loves the sound of her own voice so much that a senior advocate once leaned across to her in court, and whispered (too loudly) "STFU lets hear what the accused has to say" I also say to you STFU you are not on a discussion panel you are on a low level site for posting egotistical views on anything that moves. Thank you for joining me.
Vote up! Vote down!
-3

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