But that's not enough. We need someone with life experience.
I've decided to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor. An inspiring woman who will make an oustanding justice.
Over a three decade career, she has worked at almost every level of our judiciary system. Her experience will be invaluable.
She was nominated by Republican George H. Bush to the District Court and Democrat Bill Clinton to the Court of Appeals.
She will bring more experience to the bench than any other Supreme Court justice had when they were appointed.
She will be the only current Justice with trial judge experience. Souter had it too.
On District Court, she presided over 450 decisions. He talks about a baseball decision in 1999 and says some say she helped save baseball.
Moves to her personal journey. Her mother and brother (a doctor) is there. She's from Puerto Rico. Her father was a factory worker. A family tradition of giving back.
Her father died when she was 9. Her mother worked 6 days a week as a nurse. With scholarships, she went to Princeton and was top of her class. She went on to Yale Law School where she was editor of the law review.
She became interested in the law from reading Nancy Drew. She was dignosed with diabetes when she was 8.
She has shown that no dream is beyond reach. When she walks up the steps, America will take another step towards "equal justice under the law."
He asks for quick confirmation and introduces her to say a few words.
It's not possible not to thank everyone who got her here. This is the most humbling honor of her life. She talks about the many who guided her and helped her realize her dream. Her heart today is "bursting with gratitude" for all they have done for her. Her doctor, sister in law, niece, twin nephews.
Gives special thanks to her mother for her support. "I am all I am because of her and I am only half the woman she is."
Thanks her stepfather and says she loves and thanks him.
She firmly believes in the rule of law as the foundation for our rights. She has always been inspired by our founding fathers. The principles are as relevant in each generation as the generation before.
She was a prosecutor bringing violent crime cases and then went to a law firm.
She appreciates the honor. She looks forward to working with Senate in confirmation process. "I hope that as they learn more about me they will see I am an ordinary person blessed with extraordinary opportunities."
The end.
Update: Reactions: Jeff Toobin on CNN says the setting (Biden, Obama and Sotomayor) was striking: it is the face of the New America.
Suzanne Malveaux says there wasn't a dry eye in the audience when she talked about her family.
Update: Toobin said she has no death penalty experience because New York has no death penalty. But, I don't think that's accurate. The feds have the death penalty, even in New York. Here's one ruling she made in 1999 -- allowing a death case against a leader of the Latin Kings gang to proceed.
Update: A New York Times article from 1999 on her confirmation hearing to the Second Circuit. Among the fears of Republicans: Clinton would nominate her to the Supreme Court.
