[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13876]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               MEDIA SHOW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Texas, Madam Speaker, Judge Sotomayor has yet to answer 
a question at a confirmation hearing, but the national media's verdict 
already is in.
  Network evening newscasts used the term ``conservative'' to describe 
Judge Sotomayor's critics more often than they used the term 
``liberal'' to describe Judge Sotomayor herself, despite her very 
liberal record.
  And there is a clear double standard in the media's coverage of Judge 
Sotomayor compared to President Bush's nominees.
  After they were nominated, the national media referred to Justice 
Alito and Justice Roberts as ``conservative'' far more frequently than 
they have labeled Judge Sotomayor ``liberal.''
  In addition, the national media have heralded Judge Sotomayor's 
impressive life story, despite ignoring the similar personal story of 
former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales during his confirmation.
  The national media should set aside bias and treat Judge Sotomayor 
the same way they treated previous nominees.

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