Supremely Boring

How dull are these Sonia Sotomayor Supreme Court confirmation hearings?

Well, even her nephews can't manage to stay awake. When you have an endless procession of Democrats slobbering over an unqualified candidate, it's not enough to keep awake even her most ardent admirers. Almost makes you long for when conservative candidates appear and Democrats get to make up outrageous slanders against them.

It was so boring, even her nephews couldn't keep their eyes open.

The opener of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearing droned on for more than five hours yesterday as senators blathered through predictable prepared statements.

Sotomayor's 15-year-old twin nephews, Conner and Corey -- her brother's sons -- sat next to their mom through the session, but it wasn't long before their chins were resting on their chests.

The snoozefest was only the beginning of a five-day congressional hearing expected to pave the way for the confirmation of the first Hispanic Supreme Court nominee in history.

No suspense here.

"Unless you have a complete meltdown, you're gonna get confirmed," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told Sotomayor.

Beginning today, Sotomayor will have to answer questions from members of the Judiciary Committee about her record and philosophy -- and GOP senators launched a surprisingly strong line of attack.

Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the panel's top Republican, said he plans to ask Sotomayor about her 2001 statement that her standing as a "wise Latina woman" would sometimes allow her to reach a better decision than a white man.

"I will not vote for, and no senator should vote for, an individual nominated by any president who believes it is acceptable for a judge to allow their own personal background, gender, prejudices or sympathies to sway their decision," he declared.

Graham was more blunt, saying, "No Republican would have chosen you, Judge -- that's just the way it is."

Yeah, but he'll still probably vote for her.