Grassley: GOP Isn't Going to 'Rubber Stamp' Sotomayor

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 9:52 PM

Sen. Chuck Grassley, a senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday that Republicans wouldn't "rubber stamp" Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court, noting some of her troubling statements.

He also warned that ugly "precedents" had been set by Democrats when Justice William Rehnquist faced hearings for the chief justice position.

Grassley also raised the treatment of Judge Robert Bork, whom the Senate rejected he was "Borked by liberals in Congress."

See Video: Sen. Chuck Grassley reveals how the GOP plans to confront Sonia Sotomayor on the issues - Click Here Now http://video.newsmax.com/?bcpid=2097246 ... 4311084001

Grassley indicated that Republicans would not treat Sotomayor any differently.

"I expect Republicans to follow precedent," Grassley said ominously.

During his exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV, Grassley also said he was bothered by statements the nominee has made suggesting that judges at the appellate level make policy.

He frowned on now-infamous remarks Sotomayor made about "wise Latinas" being better at decision-making than white males, though Grassley said he would give her the benefit of the doubt until she explains her comments.

In interviews with Newsmax and other media Tuesday, Grassley stressed that:

Republicans will look for signs that the nominee is a judicial activist who will seek to legislate from the bench.

GOP senators also will follow a precedent that Democrats have established during the past 25 years by Democrats and parse Sotomayor’s non-judicial statements and activities.

Sotomayor’s long experience as a working attorney and judge is a plus not only because of the courtroom experience she brings but also because she’s an “open bookâ€