A front runner for Obama's nomination to the Supreme Court: Sonia Sotomayor.

The New Republic reports:

The most consistent concern was that Sotomayor, although an able lawyer, was "not that smart and kind of a bully on the bench," as one former Second Circuit clerk for another judge put it. "She has an inflated opinion of herself, and is domineering during oral arguments, but her questions aren't penetrating and don't get to the heart of the issue." (During one argument, an elderly judicial colleague is said to have leaned over and said, "Will you please stop talking and let them talk?")

At least she's Hispanic and has a compelling personal story, which, you know, is the important thing.

UPDATE: In the meantime, Tom Sowell writes on the danger of "empathetic" judges, of the sort Obama promises to nominate.

We prefer judges like Sister Aloysius.

Father Flynn: "Where's your compassion?"
Sister Aloysius: "Nowhere you can get at it!"

Sister Aloysius for the Supreme Court.