The two home state senators from New York — both Democrats — heaped lavish praise on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. So much lavish praise, in fact, that Senate Judiciary Chairman Sen. Pat Leahy interrupted Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s statement, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Leahy said the rest of her statement would have to be included in the written record, because he wanted to move on with the hearing.
“May I conclude my statement?” Gillibrand asked.
“If it can be done in the next few seconds,” responded Leahy, sounding annoyed at the delay.
“One minute,” parried Gillibrand.
“How about … “ began Leahy, before breaking off and shaking his head in frustration.
“20 seconds” said Gillibrand, skipping to the last sentence and carrying on with the end of her statement.
It was a striking moment in the clubby Senate, where members typically show enormous deference to each other — particularly to senators of the same party, and even more so when on live national television.
During his earlier introduction, Sen. Chuck Schumer struck an emotional note, saying that Sotomayor drew inspiration as a young girl from the stories of Nancy Drew. The fictional detective was, Schumer, said, a role model for many young girls. “Now in 2009, there are many more role models,” he said, including Sotomayor herself. Schumer seemed to choke up as he made the remark, and television cameras caught several spectators wiping their eyes.
