Burlington Free Press: Sanders Impressed With Sotomayor

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Sanders impressed with Sotomayor (Burlington Free Press)

Senator meets Supreme Court nominee

Free Press Staff Reports

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., held a brief meeting with Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor on Thursday and said afterward he had "good, positive feelings," about the Bronx-born jurist.

Sanders said he questioned Sotomayor about her views on how to protect civil liberties for citizens while allowing the government the leeway to pursue clandestine terrorists who might threaten the country. The two met in the senator's Washington, D.C., office for about 20 minutes.

"At this point, she impresses me as someone who is a strong advocate for constitutional rights and the rule of law," Sanders said. "I wanted to get her views on how you protect constitutional rights while you are fighting terrorism. That's a tough balance."

Sanders said he would not announce whether he would vote to seat her on the nation's highest court until after the Senate Judiciary Committee conducts its hearings on her nomination. Those hearings are scheduled to begin July 13.

"She is personable and very, very intelligent," said Sanders, a Brooklyn native.

Sanders was one of five senators Sotomayor met with Thursday to discuss her judicial views. The other senators who met with her were Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Lisa Murkowski, R- Alaska.

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