One of the effective weapons deployed by supporters of then-Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Jr. in early 2006 was a joint press conference by his law clerks on the the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, who also met with President George W. Bush. While the support of law clerks is unsurprising, it helped to erase rough edges or doubts about the candidate’s personality or temperament. Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s supporters launched a similar effort Monday with the release by the White House of a joint letter signed by 45 Sotomayor clerks and sent to leaders and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“Judge Sotomayor is a brilliant and first-rate judge who is an ideal selection for our nation’s highest court,” the letter stated. “Each of us can attest to her intellectual prowess, extraordinary work ethic, and commitment to the rule of law … For those of us who know her well, she is truly an inspiration, and we know she will serve as a superb role model for countless young people.”
