Obama's Choice of Sotomayor a Pro-Choice One?

The first reaction to President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court was extremely positive, as least from those on his side of the isle.  She has an impressive judicial record, a compelling personal story, she is a woman and will be the first Hispanic ever appointed to the Court.  However, it wasn't long before the unease started to set in and I started to question this impressive nominations position on choice.

As the New York Times reported yesterday, in nearly 11 years as an appeals court judge, Sotomayor has never directly ruled on a women's right to choose. However, she has written opinions that touched on abortion disputes where her opinion lay in favor of abortion opponents. In 2002 she wrote an opinion siding with the Bush Administration's policy to withhold aid from international groups that provide or promote abortion services overseas - otherwise known as the global gag rule.  This was one of the first Bush policies Obama overturned upon taking office.  And in 2004 she sided with anti-abortion protesters who sued police officers who allegedly used excessive force to break up the anti-abortion protest in front of an abortion clinic.  As someone who worked at an abortion clinic for years, the fact that she sided with the protesters worries me greatly.

That being said, the pro-choice community seems torn on the issue.  Wednesday, Planned Parenthood Federation of America sent out an email praising the nomination and Sotomayor herself, commenting on their confidence of her "commitment to the protection of our individual liberties".  In the meantime, NARAL Pro-Choice America sent a letter to senators urging them to demand Sotomayor reveal her views on privacy rights before any confirmation vote. 

Being pro-choice himself, it is of course not possible that President Obama does not understand the implications of this important nomination and of course, we all assumed he would appoint someone who would uphold Roe v. Wade.  With the last two decisions being decided by a 5 to 4 margin, there is no doubt that Roe v. Wade and the basic rights of women and families are at risk here.  However it is now being reported that President Obama did not vet the issue specifically.  I find that extremely hard to believe.  I am going to assume that when the Supreme Court is mentioned, a large percentage of the population calls to mind Roe v. Wade.  I'll go even further to assume that it is the only Supreme Court case that a large percentage of our population can even name!  And you are going to tell me that it didn't come up when vetting a new nominee to the Court?

I'm thrilled that Obama has nominated a women and a Latina.  I am excited at the possibility of a Supreme Court that looks more like America, but I want none of that at the risk of loosing my right to choose.  Luckily, I think our President understands the enormity of the decision he has made and hopefully he made the right one for everyone.  Still, I feel the administration may want to work on their answer to the question of how Sotomayor is going to respond when asked about her views on privacy, becuase they will be asked again, and they are going to need a more plausable response next time.