Specter likes Sotomayor’s record, but not her answers

Specter frustrated by nominee

WASHINGTON — As Sen. Arlen Specter sees it, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has an “exemplary” record on the bench.

He made clear, though, that he didn’t think much about her answers to questions during her confirmation hearing. Specter was one of several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who failed to elicit any specifics from the nominee on her views of specific legal issues or court rulings. The former Republican, now a Democrat, finally pointed out that there’s nothing the Senate can do if a nominee gives one answer to the committee, and then goes to the court and does something else.

Sotomayor responded that it’s one of the “beauties” of the separation of powers.

Beauty, responded Specter, “is in the eye of the beholder.”