Reaction to Sotomayor nomination

The Associated Press has complied reaction to Barack Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Among the most interesting:

"We must determine if Ms. Sotomayor understands that the proper role of a judge is to act as a neutral umpire of the law, calling balls and strikes fairly without regard to one's own personal preferences or political views." — Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee.

"She must prove her commitment to impartially deciding cases based on the law, rather than based on her own personal politics, feelings and preferences." — Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, member of the Judiciary Committee.

"Senate Republicans will treat Judge Sotomayor fairly. But we will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law evenhandedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences." — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

"The Judiciary Committee should take time to ensure that the nominee will be true to the Constitution and apply the law, not personal politics, feelings or preferences." — Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, member of the Judiciary Committee.

"She has an extremely high rate of her decisions being reversed, indicating that she is far more of a liberal activist than even the current liberal activist Supreme Court." — Wendy Long, counsel to the conservative Judicial Confirmation Network.