Obama Wants a Redux of Sotomayor's 'Smooth' Confirmation

President Obama met with senators of both parties today, and in public remarks before the meeting he praised Republicans and Democrats alike for the "smooth process" of Justice Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation last year, saying he wants to replicate it this time around.

Sotomayor, of course, was grilled by GOP senators for her "wise Latina" comment and her assertion that appellate courts are where policy is made. But she got confirmed in the end, and the political fight over her confirmation wasn't a huge one.

From Obama's remarks:

Last time, when I nominated Sonia Sotomayor, I have to say that all the individuals who are sitting here -- Mitch McConnell, Harry Reid, Jeff Sessions and Patrick Leahy -- worked very cooperatively on what I considered to be a smooth, civil, thoughtful nomination process and confirmation process.  And I very much thank particularly the Ranking Member and the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee for running a smooth process.