Texas Sen. Hutchison explains no vote on Sotomayor

AAS 7/31/09
Texas Sen. Hutchison explains no vote on Sotomayor

McALLEN, Texas — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas explained to a ballroom of Hispanic small business owners Friday that she would not vote to confirm the country's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice next week out of concern for protecting gun ownership rights.

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Hutchison's explanation that she could not approve anyone for the federal bench who left any doubt about their absolute support for the right to bear arms earned a smattering of applause during her speech to the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce annual convention.

The tepid response was eclipsed when Hutchison noted that 30 percent of nominees she had submitted for federal judgeships were Hispanic.

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Alex Jimenez, chairman of TAMACC, said Hutchison's chances of attracting Hispanic votes in the gubernatorial contest will largely depend on how far she moves to the right to win what is expected to be a bruising primary with Perry.

"They'll be giving Democrats the best chance they've had in awhile," if they move hard right, especially if they spout anti-immigrant rhetoric, he said. TAMACC wants "people who are more balanced, more moderate."