Collins also offered a preview of what's likely to be a related centerpiece of Sotomayor's confirmation hearings: Discussion of a 2003 ruling in which she rejected the appeal of a white New Haven firefighter who sued his city on a claim of reverse discrimination. The case, which saw the city throwing away a boatload of written exam results because they would have led to promoting only white candidates (save one), is currently being appealed to the Supreme Court.
"I am also disappointed that Judge Sotomayor could not discuss her controversial decision in the case involving New Haven firefighters because it is currently pending before the US Supreme Court," Collins said. "I look forward to a timely, fair and open confirmation process ... but I will reserve final judgment until the Judiciary Committee completes its hearings."
Related:
Ditched, Guilty until proven guilty, Dictator McCain?, More 
- Ditched
Olympia Snowe would protect me, I thought. I continued to believe that right up until January 31, when she voted to support George W. Bush’s Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.
- Guilty until proven guilty
The US Supreme Court's June 18 decision denying prisoners access to DNA testing — a procedure that could reliably prove innocence — adds to the high court's decades-long shameful record on criminal-justice issues.
- Dictator McCain?
The only thing standing in the way of Republican John McCain assuming the powers and prerogatives of a dictator should he be elected president is the vote of a single Supreme Court justice.
- Robojudge
Judge Stephen Breyer, Bill Clinton's latest pick for the Supreme Court, has attracted support so broad that it spans ideological and political differences.
- On Sotomayor
There is a pleasing symmetry to President Obama's nomination of federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court.
- Female Trouble
Conventional political wisdom says that for a party to oppose a woman — or a women's issue — it's best to send out a female spokesperson.
- Hey, hey, we're the Monkees
The law of averages says if you put 100 monkeys in a room with 100 computers, they'll eventually write a workable national health-care bill. Apparently, that rule doesn't apply to 100 US senators.
- Snowe: A party of one
US Senator Olympia Snowe has maneuvered herself into a position where she is the only hope Democrats have of getting a "bipartisan" agreement on healthcare reform.
- Moderation and Elephants
I appreciate Deirdre Fulton's nuanced reflection on moderates Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins (see "We Told You So," September 18) except that she fails to note the elephant in the picture.
- The waiting game
We know, we know: Last week, Olympia Snowe made history by being the only Republican in 2009 to vote for any sort of healthcare reform, even in committee-level draft language far from its final form.
- Stuck in the middle with you
On the surface, moderation appears to be a simple concept. Avoid extremes. Seek compromise. ... It's sort of like being a hypocrite, except without most of the fun parts.
- Less
Topics:
This Just In
, Barack Obama, U.S. Government, Politics, More
, Barack Obama, U.S. Government, Politics, U.S. Politics, Trials, Bill Clinton, U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Judiciary, U.S. Courts, Appellate Trials, Less
