Top Republican calls Limbaugh, Gingrich comments ‘terrible’  —  (CNN) — A top Senate Republican is taking aim at recent statements from conservative commentators Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich suggesting Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is a “racist.”

The Empathy Issue  —  The American legal system is based on a useful falsehood.  It's based on the falsehood that this is a nation of laws, not men; that in rendering decisions, disembodied, objective judges are able to put aside emotion and unruly passion and issue opinions on the basis of pure reason.

Sotomayor's Sharp Tongue Raises Issue of Temperament  —  WASHINGTON — Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, has a blunt and even testy side, and it was on display in December at an argument before the full federal appeals court in New York.

A Republican Response to Sonia Sotomayor: Criticize, Then Confirm  —  Sonia Sotomayor has a classic American story.  So does Frank Ricci.  —  Ricci is a New Haven firefighter stationed seven blocks from where Sotomayor went to law school (Yale).  Raised in blue-collar Wallingford, Conn. …

Steele: GOP Needs To Stop “Slammin' And Rammin'” On Sotomayor  —  RNC chair Michael Steele, guest-hosting on Bill Bennett's radio show early this morning, repeatedly distanced himself from Republicans and conservatives who have been harshly attacking Sonia Sotomayor, saying the assault risked damaging the party.

Political Insiders Poll  —  Q: Would it be politically smart for Republicans to try to block the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor?  —  Democrats (92 votes)  —  Yes 8% No 89% Depends 3%  —  Yes  —  “It's their only way to appear relevant.