John Baer: Obama's twofer:Brilliant symbolic choice, brilliant political move

PRESIDENT OBAMA's pick of federal appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor, of New York, for the U.S. Supreme Court is a two-fer and I don't mean in the sense that she's a woman and a minority.

Nope, the twofer in this case is (1) a powerful message on "the American dream" and (2) a show of impressive political skill.

The judge's story - parents from Puerto Rico, raised in a South Bronx housing project, father died when she was 9, mom worked two jobs, scholarship to Princeton, Law Review at Yale - is another Obama-like "yes we can" life lesson.

As the president said in the East Room of the White House, her nomination shows that "it doesn't matter where you come from, what you look like . . . no dream is beyond reach in the United States of America."

Just as that message reached millions, especially young African-Americans, with Obama's election last year, it now calls again, especially to young Hispanics, with Sotomayor's nomination.

And it's hard to ignore Obama noting Sotomayor's role in helping end the 1994-95 Major League Baseball strike with a ruling that basically said, "Play ball!"

What's more American than baseball?

Unless, of course, it's motherhood, which is why it was striking to hear the nominee praise her mom, Celina Sotomayor, who was present.

Singling out "one extraordinary person," Sonia said, "That person is my mother. . . . I am all I am because of her, and I am only half the woman she is."

I feel certain apple pie was served soon thereafter.

So do Republicans hold any cards?

There's Sotomayor's we-make-policy statement at a judicial forum that shouts "activist judge." There's that New Haven firefighters case she voted against, now before the Supreme Court, that suggests reverse discrimination.

But these are snags more than pitfalls, and if there are no personal bombshells, then the politics of the process likely trumps them.

(Remember, this is an administration that picked a guy who didn't pay taxes, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, to oversee collecting yours.)

Her confirmation requires only a simple majority of the Democratic-controlled Senate, and you know how Democrats feel about women and minorities.

And how do you think the newest Democrat, Arlen Specter - a senator with input in every Supreme Court nomination since 1981 - votes?

"I applaud the nomination," Specter said in a statement yesterday. "Now it is up to the Senate to discharge its constitutional duty for a full and fair confirmation process."

Uh-huh. If his vote is needed to confirm, I'll bet his vote is "yes."

If Republicans seek to expand their base beyond fans of Rush Limbaugh, who yesterday called Sotomayor "racist" and a "hack," is it wise to further alienate the nation's largest, fastest- growing minority?

My guess is not if they read a Pew Hispanic Center report, "Hispanics and the 2008 Election." It details likes and leanings of registered Latinos, and shows that 57 percent are Democrats or lean Democratic and 23 percent are or lean Republican, the lowest GOP number since the center started tracking a decade ago.

Early indications suggest that Republicans get this.

National party chairman Michael Steele yesterday issued a statement saying, "Republicans will reserve judgment . . . until there's been a thorough and thoughtful examination of her legal views."

Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania Republican candidate for Specter's Senate seat, said, "Judge Sotomayor deserves a fair hearing. If that hearing proves her to be of sound judicial temperament with the requisite knowledge of and respect for the Constitution, then she should be confirmed."

Bottom line?

The president's playing from a position of strength, showing he's not afraid of a fight. And his nominee's message, story and background boost that strength, forming a twofer that's tough to tackle. *

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