This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8068467.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Obama chooses Supreme Court judge | Obama chooses Supreme Court judge |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the country's Supreme Court. | US President Barack Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the country's Supreme Court. |
| Ms Sotomayor, 54, who has now to be approved by a Senate vote, would be the first Hispanic to take the position. | Ms Sotomayor, 54, who has now to be approved by a Senate vote, would be the first Hispanic to take the position. |
| She would replace Justice David Souter, who announced his retirement from the top US court earlier this month. | She would replace Justice David Souter, who announced his retirement from the top US court earlier this month. |
| Mr Obama said he had chosen Ms Sotomayor after an "exhaustive" process, and paid tribute to her as an "inspiring woman". | Mr Obama said he had chosen Ms Sotomayor after an "exhaustive" process, and paid tribute to her as an "inspiring woman". |
| He said she would bring a "depth of experience and a breadth of perspective" to the role. | He said she would bring a "depth of experience and a breadth of perspective" to the role. |
| 'No rubber stamp' | 'No rubber stamp' |
| In an emotional acceptance speech, Ms Sotomayor said her heart was "bursting with gratitude". | In an emotional acceptance speech, Ms Sotomayor said her heart was "bursting with gratitude". |
| We will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law even-handedly Mitch McConnellSenate Republican leader Profile: Sonia Sotomayor | |
| "I am an ordinary person blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences - today is one of those experiences," she said. | "I am an ordinary person blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences - today is one of those experiences," she said. |
| If approved by the Senate, Ms Sotomayor would join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the second woman on the current Supreme Court. | If approved by the Senate, Ms Sotomayor would join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the second woman on the current Supreme Court. |
| Observers say any nomination made by Mr Obama is likely to be approved because the Democrats dominate the Senate. | Observers say any nomination made by Mr Obama is likely to be approved because the Democrats dominate the Senate. |
| Mitch McConnell, leader of the Republicans in the chamber, said his colleagues would treat Ms Sotomayor fairly, but stressed that the Senate should not be a "rubber stamp". | Mitch McConnell, leader of the Republicans in the chamber, said his colleagues would treat Ms Sotomayor fairly, but stressed that the Senate should not be a "rubber stamp". |
| "We will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law even-handedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences," he said. | "We will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law even-handedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences," he said. |
| White House officials told the Associated Press that Ms Sotomayor would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any other justice confirmed in the past 70 years. | White House officials told the Associated Press that Ms Sotomayor would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any other justice confirmed in the past 70 years. |
| Bronx background | Bronx background |
| Mr Obama had stressed the need to appoint a justice who had life experience as well as legal capabilities. | Mr Obama had stressed the need to appoint a justice who had life experience as well as legal capabilities. |
| Ms Sotomayor was raised on a housing estate in the Bronx - in one of New York City's most deprived areas. | Ms Sotomayor was raised on a housing estate in the Bronx - in one of New York City's most deprived areas. |
| She is said to have been inspired by the Perry Mason TV series to become a judge, and was educated at both Princeton and Yale. | She is said to have been inspired by the Perry Mason TV series to become a judge, and was educated at both Princeton and Yale. |
| She has been nominated to serve as a judge by both Republican and Democrat presidents. | She has been nominated to serve as a judge by both Republican and Democrat presidents. |
| In 1991, George H W Bush named her a district judge and his successor in the White House, Bill Clinton, nominated her to the circuit court in 1997. | In 1991, George H W Bush named her a district judge and his successor in the White House, Bill Clinton, nominated her to the circuit court in 1997. |
| The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US, and has the authority to strike down any state or federal law it deems unconstitutional. | The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US, and has the authority to strike down any state or federal law it deems unconstitutional. |
| Each of the nine Supreme Court justices is nominated to the post for life. | Each of the nine Supreme Court justices is nominated to the post for life. |
| Of the incumbents, four are regarded as liberal, four as conservative and one is seen as unaligned. | Of the incumbents, four are regarded as liberal, four as conservative and one is seen as unaligned. |
| If appointed, Ms Sotomayor is expected to be on the liberal wing - leaving the political balance unchanged as Mr Souter is also a liberal. | If appointed, Ms Sotomayor is expected to be on the liberal wing - leaving the political balance unchanged as Mr Souter is also a liberal. |
| What do you think of President Obama's choice for the Supreme Court? Do you think Ms Sotomayor will be approved by a Senate vote? Will she be a popular choice? Send us your comments using the form below. | What do you think of President Obama's choice for the Supreme Court? Do you think Ms Sotomayor will be approved by a Senate vote? Will she be a popular choice? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |