Why is race an important factor in selecting a Supreme Court nominee?

The ONLY thing that should be important in selecting a Supreme Court nominee should be their expertise in, and commitment to, Constitutional Law.

Race, Gender, Religion, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation... those are all irrelevant to a person's ability to be an effective Supreme Court Justice. It's all about the Constitution.

Sotomayor has a ton of judicial experience, is rated as a moderate, and has been appointed to judicial positions by Republicans and Democrats. What I don't like, is now that the Republicans don't have a Filibuster (don't have 41 Senators) Obama should put forth a Liberal, preferably someone who writes well and is captivating, because they're going to be writing a lot of dissenting opinions. ps. We don't always get the "best" candidate. Do you really think Roberts deserves to be the Supreme Court Chief Justice? Scalia or Thomas should have been moved over, if Bush were looking for the "best" candidate. All anyone does is pick a qualified candidate that has experiences that make them an interesting candidate.

I agree, ever since my family was killed by a black guy and he got away with no time in jail, I have always thought about the consequences of what would happen if another race Supreme Court Nominee was picked, I, like the other 40 k voters, know that this is for our own good

Democrats believe that race is most important because they think that only a person of color will have the empathy to properly judge other people of color; i.e. all white people are fundamentally warped because they're privileged just to be white.

They don't care about the letter of the law or what is best for the country, as long as the look a certain way.

Because we are tired of minorities in this country. That is why I vote Republican, they would never try to run a black for president or put a Mexican on the supreme court. I'm glad to see the Republican party came together to vote on this matter.

it seems obvious that race should play a big hand in selecting the nominee, after all, race determines many political stances. consider this: would a mexican vote for stricter immigration laws? would a black man vote for longer prison terms for rape? would an asian person vote to have traffic ticket fines higher? of course not! thats why 80% of americans feel that it is so important!

Im glad to see mostly blue states on the board. Race really matters, some races are superior to others, it is important to make sure they maintain a majority.

because blacks as a whole have gotten a little...uppity? yes uppity. we as the supreme race need to settle down so to speak. the more white people in government the better.

I'm really glad to see most of the states are blue. Just goes to show there are still sane people out there who have not bought in to the 'affirmative action' B.S.

If you don't already understand the importance of keeping African Americans out of positions of power, then it would be futile to try to help you understand. Some people just don't have the intellectual capability to understand reality.

These answers are shameful. We are all equal in the eyes of the lord.

Except Belgians who're a bunch of pig disgusting pedophiles who need to die in a fire.